$3.4 million in previews – Miscellaneous

Warner Bros.

The Wrath of the Gods may not be all that angry. Warner Bros. sequel and DC’s “Shazam” took in $3.4 million in Thursday previews at the domestic box office, behind the original film’s 2019 preview.

Zachary Levi’s superhero movie sequel will land with a smaller opening than its predecessor. The first “Shazam” grossed $5.9 million in Thursday previews before opening to $53.5 million in April 2019. It grossed $140 million domestically and $366 million worldwide.

However, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” is expected to bring in $35 million to $40 million. Each “Shazam” movie cost $100 million to make, but that’s a significant drop from the original.

David F. Sandberg is back to direct “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” the second adventure for young Billy Batson, who can transform into a superhero by saying the word “Shazam.” Billy and his foster brothers, who also have Shazam powers, must face off against the daughters of Atlas, played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Ziegler. The cast also includes Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ross Butler, Djimon Hounsou and more.

In his review of diverseLeading film critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “Villains defeated, legends fulfilled, but the real story here is that superhero saga that seemed to hold potential for weirdness and delight ends up unraveling in the form of every other superhero franchise. The force that does is the real force.” that must be defeated.”

Despite lukewarm reviews, “Shazam” is expected to overtake last week’s box office champ “Scream VI,” the only wide remake this weekend.