Let’s face it, the lineup of DC movies for this year seems like consolation prizes instead of essential components of a grander cinematic universe.
Unless “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” captivates audiences in a significant way, Zachary Levi’s playful superhero will likely be left behind with the rest of the old DCEU rather than joining established DCU characters such as Amanda Waller (Viola Davis). It’s a pity, though. The first “Shazam!” was highly praised by critics, earning an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. David F. Sandberg’s narrative of a boy acquiring superpowers to transform into a mature hero beloved by the citizens of Philadelphia provided a refreshing divergence from the DCEU’s somber and divisive interpretations of Superman, Batman, and the “Justice League” of that era.
The most significant disappointment, however, is that if “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” does not connect to the DCU, the first film’s concluding teaser will always be remembered as an underwhelming letdown. Although “Shazam!” did hint at the existence of Black Adam, Shazam’s cold-hearted counterpart (despite Dwayne Johnson’s lack of involvement), the most exhilarating aspect of the entire film, according to comic book enthusiasts, was the post-credit stinger’s revelation of a character so bizarre, so peculiar, and so incredibly ludicrous that non-comic readers were likely taken aback.
Recall the scene in which Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong) was scribbling nonsense on his prison cell wall before being interrupted by an unexpected visitor, a small green caterpillar with a chest plate and a plan for inter-realm domination. Remember Mister Mind? Unfortunately, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” chose not to create the long-awaited sequel centered on Mister Mind, which is a real disappointment.
Mister Mind … that name again, that name again, is Mister Mind
Mister Mind – yes, you heard it right – Mister Mind. That name is hard to forget once you’ve encountered this little green caterpillar with big plans for inter-realm domination.”
To be fair, there is a slight chance that the sequel to “Shazam” might feature a brief appearance by Mister Mind. However, that would not suffice. He was meant to be the primary antagonist. As much as we appreciate the performances of Helen Mirren, Rachel Zegler, and Lucy Liu in showcasing the “fury of the gods,” their villainous acts cannot surpass the enduring archenemy of the strongest mortal in the world.
It’s true, Mister Mind is, without a doubt, the most notorious adversary of Shazam. The character, a cunning worm-like creature, first appeared in the comics in 1943 and has been a persistent menace ever since, often taking on various forms and sizes, such as a minuscule insect or a towering behemoth. He even managed to infiltrate the White House by burrowing into someone’s ear and manipulating them like a puppet. Mister Mind is one of the most peculiar elements of the Shazam universe, proving that sometimes the most dangerous foe is one that may be snacking on your aunt’s prized flowers.
“Missed Opportunity for Mister Mind to be the Main Villain in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods'”
In the comics, a malevolent bug has caused chaos with its nefarious intentions. It has formed an alliance with Sivana, as hinted in the movie, and has even assumed leadership of a team of supervillains called the Monster Society of Evil. During the initial gatherings of this group, even the powerful Black Adam submitted to the commands of this insect with aspirations of global domination.
Upon observing the sheer absurdity of the situation, it becomes evident that it is a lost chance for Mister Mind not to be the central antagonist in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” Had he been the primary villain, the film could have been the ultimate, offbeat send-off to the DCEU or perfectly matched the unconventional tendencies of the new DC mastermind James Gunn, who has a fondness for Starro. Let’s take a moment to envision what a sequel to “Shazam!” under Mister Mind’s leadership might have looked like.
Mister Mind: The Villain We Needed for “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”
Imagine this scenario: Instead of “Fury of the Gods” and the “Black Adam” movie we received, what if Dwayne Johnson’s antihero had been a part of “Shazam: Fury of Mister Mind” as the main caterpillar’s enforcer from a different era?
Just envision the absurdity of Black Adam obeying a small caterpillar. It sounds preposterous, doesn’t it? At his current level of stardom, there is no way this would have been possible on Earth-Prime. But that’s precisely why it should have occurred. Witnessing Johnson’s character furiously barking orders at his megalomaniacal green leader, a CGI insect, would have been uproarious and distinguished this film from its DC and Marvel counterparts. Furthermore, since we’ve already encountered extraterrestrial insect adversaries in “Peacemaker,” the platform for such ludicrousness has been established. Johnson’s Adam and Levi’s Shazam could have been the contrasting duo fans had hoped for when a former “champion” was alluded to in the initial film, but with a ridiculous twist.
And for the conclusion? consider this: the protagonist and antagonist banding together to confront a colossal, Godzilla-like Mister Mind. It may seem outlandish, but this is a franchise in which a youngster transforms into a superhero, and his most significant hurdle is purchasing liquor. This notion would have undoubtedly distinguished the “Shazam!” sequel from any other film currently playing in theaters, rendering it a must-see for all enthusiasts of the genre.
Mister Mind Deserves His Moment in the Spotlight: A Missed Opportunity in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”
The outlook for Billy Batson, specifically the rendition portrayed by Asher Angel and Zachary Levi, is unclear. Although it is conceivable for Shazam to fit into Gunn’s new DC universe, no announcement has been made regarding upcoming DC projects. The same holds for Mister Mind. If the original plan was for him to confront Shazam exclusively in a hypothetical third film instead of the second installment, then it would be lovely to reside in the parallel universe where this occurs. However, it appears improbable for “Shazam 3” to be included in the DC universe as it stands.
Nonetheless, a compelling case can be made that Shazam is more fitting in the “Gods and Monsters” universe constructed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This world features unconventional protagonists like Swamp Thing and horror monster commandos, which aligns better with the Shazam character than in the Snyderverse. If James Gunn had been involved in the “Shazam!” franchise, there would have been no way he would have overlooked Mister Mind’s significance. In fact, Mister Mind would have been the focal point of a Gunn-produced “Shazam” film, given his fondness for such characters.
It’s unfortunate to admit, but it’s highly unlikely that Mister Mind would have his moment in the spotlight in the 2020s with a version of “Shazam 2” that never materialized. Nevertheless, the sneaky insect that paid a visit to Dr. Sivana served as a good teaser for audiences to become aware of his existence. It’s possible that a new iteration of this power-hungry worm could emerge in the future and seize control of the DCU, and that would be a welcome development for all of us.
