Rachel Zegler has a very understandable reason for taking a role on Shazam!
When it comes to their decision to play along Shazam! wrath of the godsRachel Zegler has a very understandable reason.
“i needed a job‘ confessed the 21-year-old actress The Hollywood Reporter when asked about her decision to join the DC Universe. “I’m so serious.”
Zegler, who plays Athena in the film – one of three daughters of the goddess of Titan Atlas – explained: “The reality was that we were in the middle of the pandemic and I wasn’t working. I couldn’t get a job for the life of me because Westside Story hadn’t come out yet. It was really difficult to book work for me so I was very excited when this hit my inbox.”
Of her experience shooting the film, Zegler said, “I loved the first film and the fact that they even wanted me to come in for a call back and then a camera read and everything in between, I’m so happy I got the job.” . I made some of my best friends at this job. I also absolutely adore this movie so I’m excited.
The highly-anticipated sequel arrives Friday, four years after its predecessor hit theaters in April 2019.
Zachary Levi returns as the titular superhero alongside Asher Angel, who reprises his role as Shazam’s teenage alter ego Billy Batson. Familiar faces from the franchise also appear in the second part of the film, along with some newcomers like Zegler.
New cast members recruited for the sequel include Helen Mirren as Hespera, daughter of Atlas, alongside Lucy Liu, who is cast as her demigod sister, Calypso. They are the main villains in Shazam‘s second installment.
Zegler’s character is her sister.
In July, she told Mirren that her character “was so much fun” play.
“She’s so wonderfully complex and Helen and Lucy were incredible to work with,” Zegler said in a video interview during Comic Con. “I miss you, ladies! We must bring the goddesses together again soon to meet!”
RELATED VIDEO: Rachel Zegler calls the past year a ‘whirlwind’
Shazam! wrath of the gods serves as a continuation of Shazam! released in 2019. The film continues the story of Billy Batson who – after reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!”! – is struck by the Living Lightning of the Gods and transformed into his adult superhero alter ego.
“Levi returns as the childlike superhero bestowed with the powers of six gods: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the endurance of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury,” per Deadline: “While Shazam is a formidable champion, Billy is still just a fun-loving kid trying to navigate high school while learning how to use his powers.”
Don’t miss a story – subscribe The free daily newsletter from PEOPLE to keep up to date with the best that PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Billy “and his family are thrown into a battle over their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world,” says the film, according to an official synopsis of the film from the DC website.
