Western Reader
In a bold move that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, actor Zachary Levi, best known for his role in the DC Comics film “Shazam,” publicly criticized Hollywood’s lack of commitment to quality.
Speaking at Chicago’s Fan Expo, Levi urged fans to stop spending their hard-earned money on subpar movies churned out by the industry.
Levi’s impassioned plea to fans was a direct indictment of Hollywood’s apparent disregard for producing high-quality content.
He lamented the fact that many movie trailers promise an exciting cinematic experience, only for the actual films to fall short of expectations. According to Levi, the only way to effect change is for audiences to boycott these mediocre productions.
#Shazam2 star Zachary Levi wants people to stop watching ‘garbage’ Hollywood films
“They know that once you’ve already bought the ticket and you’re in the seat, they’ve got your money … the only way for us to change any of it is to not go to the garbage” pic.twitter.com/SA40UFpYDi
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) August 14, 2023
However, following the media coverage of his comments, Levi attempted to clarify his stance.
He insisted his remarks were taken out of context and reiterated his support for his union, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), and the ongoing strike. Despite this clarification, it remains clear that Levi is deeply concerned about the state of the film industry and the impact it has on its loyal fanbase.
The actor’s critique of Hollywood is not unfounded. Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable decline in theater attendance and ticket sales. While blockbuster films continue to perform well, overall interest in Hollywood productions has dwindled.
This trend is particularly evident when considering the significant drop in theater audiences over the last four years, a decline that cannot be solely attributed to the pandemic.
Zachary Levi states that Hollywood needs to stop making garbage films. pic.twitter.com/Nz1xWQ22mk
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) August 14, 2023
Levi’s own film, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” serves as a case study for his argument. Despite receiving a positive response from fans, with an 86 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film underperformed at the box office.
It barely broke even with its $125 million budget, leading to its classification as a box-office flop. This suggests while the film was appreciated by those who saw it, fewer fans were interested in watching it in the first place.
The future of Levi’s involvement in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is uncertain. With the DCEU planning a major overhaul of its past films and aiming to emulate Marvel’s successful interconnected universe, a third installment of the “Shazam” series seems unlikely.
The second film, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” was heavily criticized, which may have contributed to Levi’s outspokenness.
Despite the criticism, Levi defended “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” pointing out audiences enjoyed the film, despite the harsh reviews. He expressed confusion over the low critics’ score and described some of the feedback as “insanely unkind.”
Levi’s comments have sparked a conversation about the quality of Hollywood productions. Whether or not other actors and filmmakers will join him in speaking out remains to be seen.
This article appeared in Watch Dog News and has been published here with permission.
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