There are definitely elements in Shazam! that kids might simply blow right past on their way to experiencing the superhero spectacle and the heart of the family story, while adult superhero fans are still turning those ideas over in their heads. Here’s some stuff in Shazam! that you might only notice if you’re an adult.
Shazam! takes place in the same world as Man of Steel, Justice League, and the other recent DC movies, which means Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman exist alongside Billy Batson and Freddy Freeman. That’s probably why Freddy is absolutely obsessed with those super-people, but it seems he’s not the only one. As we see from Freddy’s collection of memorabilia and a chase scene through a toy store, this world has reacted to superheroes in the same way that ours has: merchandising!
Yes, Batman and Superman are real, and they have their own action figures, replica weaponry, and even t-shirts, just like we have. So how exactly does that work in the world of the film? Those heroes all have secret identities, so did those companies get permission to use their likenesses? Do the heroes just ignore it? Bruce Wayne might not need any of the royalties from his action figures, but you know Aquaman would absolutely take a check for his t-shirt sales.
The film begins in 1974, when a young Thaddeus Sivana is brought before the wizard Shazam, only to be told he’s not worthy because he was tempted by the Seven Deadly Sins. As soon as Sivana leaves, Shazam sends out a summoning spell to find a champion as quickly as possible… which takes about 45 years.
When Shazam meets Billy, he explains that they chose a champion once who betrayed them someone DC fans will recognize as Black Adam and that he’s been looking for a replacement ever since. And yet, the wizard has gone through dozens of potential champions, only to wind up telling them all they’re not worthy.
So what took so long? There are obviously heroes in the world, and good and decent people willing to do things like, for example, open up their home to foster kids. It’s implied that Billy was something of a compromise because the wizard was running out of time, but he probably could’ve compromised a little sooner especially when you consider that later in the movie, Billy starts handing out powers to his foster siblings? For a guy facing a ticking clock that ran from ancient Egypt until 2019, he really put things off until the last possible moment. And he still had to settle for a teenager who charges for selfies. Keep watching the video to see things in Shazam you only notice as an adult!
#Shazam
Mighty merch | 0:16
Waiting worries | 1:11
Teenage trouble | 2:20
Terrible temptation | 3:16
Bewildering bullies | 3:49
Where’s wisdom? | 4:28