Shazam director David F. Sandberg confirms Helen Mirren will play villain in the sequel

Shazam director David F. Sandberg confirms Helen Mirren will play villain in the sequel: ‘Awesome cast getting awesomer!’

Dame Helen Mirren is set to play the villain Hespera, a daughter of Atlas, in her first-ever superhero film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods hitting US/UK theaters June 2, 2023.

Shazam director David F. Sandberg confirmed Deadline‘s report via Twitter on Tuesday: ‘Awesome cast getting awesomer!’

YouTuber Rachel Zegler – who plays ‘a mysterious key role’ in the sequel – also reacted to the news via Twitter: ‘I’m gonna be in a movie with Helen Mirren???’  

Welcome to the DCEU! Dame Helen Mirren (pictured March 10) is set to play the villain Hespera, a daughter of Atlas, in her first-ever superhero film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Shazam director David F. Sandberg confirmed Deadline's report via Twitter on Tuesday: 'Awesome cast getting awesomer!'

Shazam director David F. Sandberg confirmed Deadline’s report via Twitter on Tuesday: ‘Awesome cast getting awesomer!’

But first, the 19-year-old Jersey girl will make her big-screen debut as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake hitting US/UK theaters December 10.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods will also feature Zachary Levi, Adam Brody, Jack Dylan Grazer, Marta Milans, Asher Angel, and Faithe Herman.

It continues the tale of 14-year-old foster child Billy Batson (Angel) who magically transforms into his adult superhero alter ego (Levi) after reciting the magic word ‘shazam.’

YouTuber Rachel Zegler - who plays 'a mysterious key role' in the sequel - also reacted to the news via Twitter: 'I'm gonna be in a movie with Helen Mirren???'

YouTuber Rachel Zegler – who plays ‘a mysterious key role’ in the sequel – also reacted to the news via Twitter: ‘I’m gonna be in a movie with Helen Mirren???’

Hitting US/UK theaters December 10! But first, the 19-year-old Jersey girl (2-R) will make her big-screen debut as Maria in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake

Hitting US/UK theaters December 10! But first, the 19-year-old Jersey girl (2-R) will make her big-screen debut as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake

Hitting US/UK theaters June 2, 2023: Shazam! Fury of the Gods will also feature Zachary Levi (R), Jack Dylan Grazer (L), Adam Brody, Marta Milans, Asher Angel, and Faithe Herman

Hitting US/UK theaters June 2, 2023: Shazam! Fury of the Gods will also feature Zachary Levi (R), Jack Dylan Grazer (L), Adam Brody, Marta Milans, Asher Angel, and Faithe Herman

BTS: The 2019 original movie impressively amassed $366M at the global box office and earned a 90% critic approval rating (out of 409 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

BTS: The 2019 original movie impressively amassed $366M at the global box office and earned a 90% critic approval rating (out of 409 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

The 2019 original movie impressively amassed $366M at the global box office and earned a 90% critic approval rating (out of 409 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

The British 75-year-old – who’s a Grammy away from EGOT status – will next reprise her role as Magdalene ‘Queenie’ Shaw in F9 hitting US theaters on June 25 and UK theaters on July 8.

Justin Lin’s ninth installment of the action-packed franchise will also star Vin Diesel, Cardi B, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, and Jordana Brewster.

Only a Grammy away from EGOT status! The British 75-year-old will next reprise her role as Magdalene 'Queenie' Shaw in F9 hitting US theaters on June 25 and UK theaters on July 8

Only a Grammy away from EGOT status! The British 75-year-old will next reprise her role as Magdalene ‘Queenie’ Shaw in F9 hitting US theaters on June 25 and UK theaters on July 8

Star-studded: Justin Lin's ninth installment of the action-packed franchise will also star Vin Diesel, Cardi B, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, and Jordana Brewster

Star-studded: Justin Lin’s ninth installment of the action-packed franchise will also star Vin Diesel, Cardi B, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, and Jordana Brewster