Zachary Levi is retooling his career after a tumultuous few years in Hollywood. The actor, once a fan favorite after starring in Tangled and Shazam!, has faced backlash for his support of Donald Trump and comments on COVID-19 vaccines.
Levi’s controversy began when he suggested that Gavin Creel died from the vaccine, drawing widespread criticism. This was followed by poor box office performance of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Harold & the Purple Crayon, leading to a loss of momentum for Levi as a leading man in Hollywood.
However, the actor is now focusing on building a new campus in Austin for his Wyldwood Studios at an estimated $100 million cost. Describing Hollywood as “the Detroit of the entertainment industry,” Levi acknowledges that some people may prefer not to work with him due to his past comments but believes there are still opportunities to collaborate.
Levi expressed willingness to coexist with fans on different political spectrums, stating, “There are a lot of people on that side who are even more inclined to hire me and do business with me because ‘I need some people who voted another way.'” He also tempered his past support for Trump, saying he may be getting “bamboozled” by leaders.
In response to Shazam! co-star Rachel Zegler’s comments on social media, Levi defended her as a talented individual who wants the best for the world. When asked about DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn’s comment that he disagreed with his vaccine stance, Levi praised Gunn’s honesty and denied feeling “thrown under a bus.”
Levi expressed enthusiasm for playing Shazam again but acknowledged that his future in the role is uncertain due to the character’s recent poor reception. With no indication of Gunn’s desire to bring him back, Levi seems poised to explore new opportunities outside of Hollywood.
Source: https://comicbookmovie.com/shazam/zachary-levi-breaks-silence-on-shazam-future-backlash-to-his-stance-on-trump-and-vaccines-and-rachel-zegler-a220730