Fans Seem To Think A Gay Superhero Was Just Introduced Under Our Noses In DC's 'Shazam!'
*SPOILERS FOR SHAZAM!
The DC Comics superhero movie Shazam!, with an exclamation point, is on a strong trajectory to reach the $50 million mark by this weekend after an impressive debut.
That is a respectable box office estimate, according to Variety, given the fact that Warner Bros. produced Shazam! for $80 million, roughly half the cost of Wonder Woman and Aquaman.
Those who already made it to theaters saw Zachary Levi as the adult version of teenage foster child Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel) go head to head against his nemesis Doctor Thaddeus Bodog Sivana after discovering the power to transform into an adult superhero, named oddly enough Captain Marvel, by saying "Shazam!".
Yes, DC and Marvel comics both introduced a character named Captain Marvel. DC's version came out in December 1939. Marvel's was introduced in 1967.
But eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed the introduction of a gay superhero, albeit a temporary thing.
It's about time.
In the film, Captain Sparkle Fingers, aka Captain Marvel, aka Shazam, passes on his zapping powers to his foster siblings to help him take down the vengeful physicist.
You can see the Sparkle Fingers reference here.
SHAZAM! - Official Trailer 2 - Only In Theaters April 5youtu.be
And Captain Marvel provides them all with the safest place to seek refuge – a strip club. While the seedy location sparks varying reactions from the other foster siblings, Pedro remains unfazed and simply utters, "Not my thing."
For some audience members, Pedro's line was enough to indicate he is not into women, clothed or otherwise.
#Shazam mild spoiler but did y’all clock when they left the strip club and pedro said “not my thing”?? I sense a gay icon!!!— cam (@cam) 1553422163
Uproxx said if that is indeed the case, Hollywood just introduced the first gay superhero in both the DC extended Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, once Pedro got his own lightning bolt.
Fans wanted to clarify if their instincts were right.
I saw #Shazam on Saturday & have thoughts; it was fun, campy & lighthearted, all the kids were great actors (especi… https://t.co/a3Ruji3UW6— Jeremy Baratheon (@Jeremy Baratheon) 1553522022
It’s nice to know they are capable of making good superhero movies. It was goofy, but in a good fun way. Darla was… https://t.co/FEZw68ghW6— Human Capitalist Stock #823 (@Human Capitalist Stock #823) 1553393625
Shazam is kinda fun. Old style origin story, but good. I'm probably reading too much into this, but I think 1 of the kids might be gay.— Colin Gazeley (@Colin Gazeley) 1554476039
Twitter said, "duh."
we love pedro a gay icon— zuca (@zuca) 1554401847
Those with a finely-tuned gaydar picked up on a signal and said "yaas!"
Shazam! director David F. Sandberg and producer Peter Safran teased before the movie's premiere on April 5 that it may feature an LGBTQ+ hero.
Sandberg told Pink News:
"Don't want to put spoilers [out there] or anything … but I think you will see one sooner rather than later."
Mark Strong, who plays the nefarious Doctor Sivana, believes that the introduction of a gay hero is long past due.
"[I don't think we're] very far at all. Society is changing—people are becoming much more inclusive, they're becoming aware of people who have been excluded."
"The more the merrier, I say. I think it's time."
Marvel's production chief Victoria Alonso also announced that "the world is ready" for a gay superhero, but it looks as if Warner Brothers beat them to it with Pedro.
Shazam actually having their gay character come out on screen take some notes @MarvelStudios— kenzie (@kenzie) 1554495542
This year, the MCU featured its first female superhero with Captain Marvel, but Warner Brothers had Marvel beat with Wonder Woman in 2017.
Both studios have yet to feature a lead LGBT character in their films.
DC may introduce that character into their canon as early as this coming Friday with the release of Shazam!
Shazam! tells the story of Billy Batson, a young teenager who is given powers spelled out by the acronym Shazam, the same name of the sorcerer who gives Batson the powers in the first place.
Batson has the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. These powers can be activated by saying the word "Shazam!"
The superpowered version Batson looks like an adult (played by Zachary Levi), though retains the mind of the teenager.
SHAZAM! Trailer (2019)www.youtube.com
Shazam! director David F. Sandberg teased to PinkNews that this Friday's release may include an upcoming and as-of-yet unannounced LGBTQ+ superhero.
Shazam! movie's Zachary Levi and Mark Strong on LGBT superheroeswww.youtube.com
"Don't want to put spoilers [out there] or anything … but I think you will see one sooner rather than later," Sandberg says about the possible reveal.
"I think on April 5th it will become clear…"
The DC television universe has a few LGBTQ+ players.
There's, of course, Batwoman.
Ruby Rose, an out queer woman, will be Batwoman on the CW and this is just beyond exciting, I'M SCREAMING. Even t… https://t.co/iCXB2RLLA5— Alex Berg (@Alex Berg) 1533664826
@DoctorRagnarok Batgirl's (Batwoman) show debuts on The CW this fall. Fake outrage crowd needs to do their Googles. https://t.co/yBnUQvHpZq— Mr. Triple Double Kemba Walker🎅🏾😤 (@Mr. Triple Double Kemba Walker🎅🏾😤) 1554311252
John Constantine and Sara Lance from Legends Of Tomorrow:
DC''s Legends of Tomorrow 4x08 Constantine Kiss his Boyfriend and changes back Reality Full HDwww.youtube.com
Legends of Tomorrow 3x12 - Sara and Ava scene 4 "first kiss"www.youtube.com
Alex Danvers from Supergirl:
Alex Danvers || 2x06 || "You're Gay Too?" || Alex Coming Out to Karawww.youtube.com
In addition to countless more in the many different "Earths" that the universe contains.
However, the inclusion in the cinematic universe has been extremely lacking, so fans are waiting in serious anticipation.
Marvel : We now have a black superhero so you can relate. Oh look… now we have a female one. Next up, an Asian, and… https://t.co/FmE3FLacn7— ᴊᴏᴇ ʟᴇᴇ (@ᴊᴏᴇ ʟᴇᴇ) 1554201539
#shazam #shazammovie loved it #latino #asian #gay maybe superhero finally a movie my friends and I can see https://t.co/5ZYLhnpMh4— Alex Gonzales (@Alex Gonzales) 1553402948
However, sci-fi and fantasy LGBT representation needs to up its game as a whole.
You know what? I would not say no to a gay Puerto Rican/diasporican superhero who has to try and explain that he's… https://t.co/AeRQ70YE2a— New Year, Same Rage (@New Year, Same Rage) 1554333684
Yesterday at Tampa Pride they had a Star Wars float and it was everything I needed 👏🏽😫 Chewbacca said gAY RIGHTS!!! https://t.co/pN4SKRS3re— Sheri Diabla 🥀 (@Sheri Diabla 🥀) 1554046443
As of May last year, LGBTQ+ people made up an estimated 4.5% of the population of the USA. That means about 1 in every 40 people are gay.
In a universe containing 200 characters, for instance, at least 5 gay characters should statistically be present. But LGBTQ+ stories are often ignored.
Will DC seek to change this with its new superhero?
We'll be looking forward to Friday to find out.