Dame Helen Mirren (RED 2, Fast and Furious 9) has joined the cast of Shazam: Fury of the Gods as the villain.
We'd been led to believe that the sequel would feature some "unexpected villains," and that certainly seems to be the case, as Mirren's baddie doesn't appear to be based on any established DC Comics character. According to THR, the Academy Award-winner is playing Hespera, the daughter of Atlas and sister of Rachel Zegler's mysterious character.
Atlas is a mega-powerful Titans of Myth, and one of the six gods who imbues Shazam with his abilities. In Greek mythology, Hespera is the spirit of immortality and one of the Hesperides who tends the Golden Apples of Immortality.
This might seem like an odd fit for Mirren, but it won't be the first time the legendary actress has appeared in a big franchise release.
David F. Sandberg will return to the director's chair, and Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan are once again penning the script. Zachary Levi will reprise the title role of the Big Red Cheese, and he'll be joined by Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman. The rest of the Shazam Family are also expected to return.
A rumor that Henry Cavill might make an appearance as Superman did the rounds last month, but was later debunked.
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Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.