New looks at Shazam! 2 and Aquaman 2 released as the reason for delays becomes clear

Zachary Levi in Shazam! and Jason Momoa in Aquaman
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The directors of Shazam! 2 and Aquaman 2 have released new looks at their movies after the announcement that both superhero titles'🍌 release dates had bee▨n delayed. Shazam! Fury of the Gods was originally scheduled for release on December 21, 2022, but has been delated to March 17, 2023. This was originally Aquama⭕n and the Lost Kingdom's slot on the release calendar, so that movie has been pushed back to December 25.

In an Instagram post, Shazam! 2 director David F. Sandberg wrote: "Doing the final mix on Shazam Fury of the Gods. New release date is March 17 next year. Avatar 2 can have December, we can have IMAX screens. It&rs𒊎quo;s going to be great. But Cameron definitely owes me a 4K release of The Abyss now." 

He also shared a behind-the-scenes video of the movie's DC Films fanfare, which did not appear in the first Shazam! movie. Sandberg's post suggests that Shazam! 2 was delayed so it would not have to compete with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:James Cameron-directed Avatar 2, which is set for release on December 16. 

A photo posted by on

Meanwhile, Aquaman 2 director James Wan also took to Instagram, writing: "Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom moving to Christmas Day 2023. I’ꦺm a bit superstitious and I love that it’s a December release like the first one!" 

He shared several pieces of concept art for the movie, adding: "Here is a small glimpse of some artwork into the big, epic world-building we’re creating, and I nee✨d the time to do it right. These images barely scratch the surface of this movie (haven’t even shown the weird and wonderful characters and creatures of this world yet). I can’t wait to show, but you have to wait just a little bit longer."

A photo posted by on

This is the latest disruption for the DCEU at Warner Bros., after the upcoming 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Batgirl movie was shelved despite being finished. Warner Bros. recently merged with Discovery, and the two studios joining forces means a 𒊎s🌄hake-up behind the scenes. 

However, despite Sandberg citing Avatar 2's monopoly on IMAX screens as the reason for Shazam! 2's delay and Wan saying that Aquaman 2 isn't finished🌠 ཧyet, could there be a financial reason at play, too? 

"The moves underscore what a financial mess Warner Bros. Discovery is as the studio has only enough cash to release 2 movies from now to the end of this year (Don't Worry Darling and Black Adam)," The Hollywood Reporter jo♓urnalist Borys Kit, before issuing a correction that the studio was releasing a third movie this year, Hous🎃e Party. 

Shazam! Fury of the Gods will arrive on the big screen on March 17, 2023, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom following on December 25, 2023. In the meantime, make sure you're up to date with the DCEU with our guide to watching the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:DC movies in order.

Entertainment Writer

I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering ever༺ything film and TV-related across the Total Film and SFX sections. I help bring you all the latest news and also the occasioไnal feature too. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism.