DC Studios Co-Chair James Gunn Reveals How Involved He Was With SHAZAM 2's End Credits Scene

DC Studios Co-Chair James Gunn Reveals How Involved He Was With SHAZAM 2's End Credits Scene

James Gunn weighs in on Shazam! Fury of the Gods' end credits scene where A.R.G.U.S. agents Emilia Harcourt and John Economos showed up to recruit Billy for the JSA.

By MarkJulian - Dec 10, 2023 10:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman: Legacy

James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed joint control of DC Studios on November 1, 2022. Shazam! Fury of the Gods hit theaters on March 17, 2023. Do you think there was enough time for Gunn to make any significant changes to the film before its release?

With Fury of the Gods' end credits scene inexplicably having Emilia Harcourt and John Economos show up as A.R.G.U.S. representatives to recruit Billy Batson for the Justice Society of America, some fans thought Gunn was already flexing his muscle.

That's because Emilia Harcourt is played by Gunn's wife, Jennifer Holland. A few online trolls have been asserting that Gunn shoehorned in Harcourt's appearance in Fury of the Gods and Black Adam as one of his first acts as DC Studios co-chair. 

Of course, anyone that's even remotely familiar with how the filmmaking processs works knows that Harcourt's appearance in these films was likely something that was in the works, long before Gunn came aboard.

Responding to such claims on social media, Gunn stated, "It wasn't my call and I didn't write it – although it came out when I had just started at DC, its inclusion far predates me as (as does Harcourt as the warden of an underwater prison!). And, although I thought it was fun, I have no idea why those characters would be recruiting for the JS."

Gunn has previously stated repeatedly, that DC Studios film continuity doesn't start until Creature Commandos.

And that although some characters from the DCEU are moving forward into the DCU, it's simply because Gunn likes the actors for the role, not necessarily because he wants to keep the continuity of what happened to those characters in the DCEU.

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS
From New Line Cinema comes “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” which continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego,

Shazam. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” stars returning cast members Zachary Levi (“Thor: Ragnarok”) as Shazam; Asher Angel (“Andi Mack”) as Billy Batson; Jack Dylan Grazer (“It Chapter Two”) as Freddy Freeman; Adam Brody (“Promising Young Woman”) as Super Hero Freddy; Ross Butler (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as Super Hero Eugene; Meagan Good (“Day Shift”) as Super Hero Darla; D.J. Cotrona (“G.I. Joe: Retaliation”) as Super Hero Pedro; Grace Caroline Currey (“Annabelle: Creation”) as Mary Bromfield / Super Hero Mary; Faithe Herman (“This Is Us”) as Darla Dudley; Ian Chen (“A Dog’s Journey”) as Eugene Choi; Jovan Armand (“Second Chances”) as Pedro Pena; Marta Milans (“White Lines”) as Rosa Vasquez; Cooper Andrews (“The Walking Dead”) as Victor Vasquez; with Djimon Hounsou (“A Quiet Place Part II”) as Wizard.

Joining the cast are Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”), with Lucy Liu (“Kung Fu Panda” franchise) and Helen Mirren (“F9: The Fast Saga”).

The film is directed by David F. Sandberg (“Shazam!,” “Annabelle: Creation”) and produced by Peter Safran (“Aquaman,” “The Suicide Squad”). It is written by Henry Gayden (“Shazam!,” “There’s Someone Inside Your House”) and Chris Morgan (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” “The Fate of the Furious”), based on characters from DC; Shazam! was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. Executive producers are Walter Hamada, Adam Schlagman, Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Marcus Viscidi and Geoff Johns. 

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MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 12/10/2023, 10:53 AM
Is Dwayne Johnson still the hierarchy?
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 12/10/2023, 10:59 AM
Oh it was just a "coincidence".
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/10/2023, 11:00 AM
I actually didn't mind this one. It's weird but I felt like as the DCEU came to a dying light it actually displayed more connective tissue that was nice to see.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 12/10/2023, 11:08 AM
So Peacemaker.

S2 is DCU. Confirmed.

S1 has Ezra Miller as The Flash and Jason Momoa as Aquaman.

Is Ezra Miller officially the Barry Allen of the DCU? Inquiring minds need to know.
Forthas
Forthas - 12/10/2023, 11:08 AM
Let me see if I got this straight....James Gunns wife just happens to appear in a Peter Safran produced film. Gunn and Saffran just happen to become the heads of DC four months before the film is released and in said post credit scene Shazam suggests the JLS should be called "THE AUTHORITY" society....the very team that no one has ever heard of or considered until James Gunn arrived....

Repian
Repian - 12/10/2023, 11:10 AM
@Forthas - This is a conspiracy, friend... A conspiracy. xD
Forthas
Forthas - 12/10/2023, 11:15 AM
@Repian - ...or James Gunn is obviously full of sh*t!
Repian
Repian - 12/10/2023, 11:53 AM
@Forthas - Dude, you spend too much time in your parents' basement. Go outside, sunbathe, meet a nice girl and ask her out to dinner.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/10/2023, 11:58 AM
@Forthas -


Gunn lies alot. Idk what happened to him but he has been exposed so many times. Even his past comments about superman have surfaced making look like a fraud💁
Forthas
Forthas - 12/10/2023, 1:20 PM
@Repian - I actually spend most of my time in my own home...my parents don't have a basement in there home....I already met a nice girl and married her and we go out to dinner all the time.

I hope the money that Gunn pays you to troll people critical of him is a lot. You have your work cut out for you!
Forthas
Forthas - 12/10/2023, 1:25 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - I don't think he was ever any different. I think that because of the success of Guardians (which is really a result of the Marvel brand) he has skated by without much scrutiny. But now given his expanded role at DC as an executive and director and writer for DC properties the spotlight is now on him. I can't keep up with his dishonesty.
newmutantsRETURNS
newmutantsRETURNS - 12/10/2023, 11:09 AM
JG should have just hard reboot all across the board with new talent...no holdovers of his faves and family members, just a true clean slate.
Repian
Repian - 12/10/2023, 11:14 AM
If the DCU is a success, I will enjoy reading future comments from today's madmen.
EskimoJ
EskimoJ - 12/10/2023, 11:34 AM
@Repian - Longing for this day.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 12/10/2023, 12:24 PM
@Repian - it won't be
MadThanos
MadThanos - 12/10/2023, 11:18 AM
Hahahahaha this is a funny story. It seems like they (The Rock and Co.) tried to put Gunn on a difficult position putting his wife on that scene.
Origame
Origame - 12/10/2023, 2:25 PM
@MadThanos - ...the rock had nothing to do with Shazam 2. In fact the people behind Shazam 2 have specifically called out the rock for having nothing to do with Shazam 2.
MadThanos
MadThanos - 12/10/2023, 3:43 PM
@Origame - [frick] you.

It's a Black Adam post credits scene. The Rock tried to hijack the creative control.
Origame
Origame - 12/10/2023, 4:40 PM
@MadThanos - ...you're really bringing in black Adam for this? He wasn't even in charge of dc until after that movie was released. In fact, that movie specifically brought Henry cavill in and had him announce his return the day after the premiere.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/10/2023, 11:21 AM
The Hierarchy was just doing whatever lol
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 12/10/2023, 11:49 AM
NEPOTISM
AT
ITS
FINEST

JK, I don't give a flying frog's fat ass who Gunn casts in what as long as the content is good.

Michael Rooker for Supergirl.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 12/10/2023, 12:23 PM
Of course he was involved directly or indirectly
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