Shazam 2: Dame Helen Mirren opens up about 'sisters for life' Rachel Zegler and Lucy Liu

Virgin Radio

8 Mar 2023, 07:46

The stars of the upcoming Shazam! sequel were in London last night (March 7th), and virginradio.co.uk was there to talk to them. The Shazam! Fury of the Gods UK Special Screening took place at Cineworld Leicester Square, and saw the likes of Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren, Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu and director David F. Sandburg in attendance.

The follow-up to the popular 2019 DCU movie is set to hit cinemas in later this month, and will see the return of Billy Batson and his foster siblings, who are trying to work out how to juggle teenage life with having adult superhero alter-egos. 

This time round, they are forced back to action in a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago. They are played by Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren.

Speaking from the red carpet at the screening last night, Dame Helen told virginradio.co.uk and other press about the bond she shares with Rachel and Lucy. “We're from completely different backgrounds, obviously different ages, but the moment we got together, we just had this great chemistry.”

She added: “It's so fun to work with women, to work with women with whom you have great friendship and great love for each other. We hung together when we weren't filming, we went shopping together, we went out to eat together. We got a little bit drunk together. So, you know, that just made the whole experience just a wonderful one. And you know, we are sisters for life.”

When it came to working with Zachary Levi, who plays Shazam, the alter-ego that Billy Batson turns into, Dame Helen said: “He's funny. He's so good.”

She continued: “My jaw dropped with his inventiveness and his wit and his charm and his improvisational quality, and he's so brilliant to that character, that Shazam character. He can access his inner teenager so easily. He's just lovely.” 

It turns out that the feeling is mutual, as Zachary was also full of praise for Dame Helen.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods will be released in the UK & Ireland on 17th March 2023 by Warner Bros. Pictures