Despite comic books often reusing villains for multiple storylines, recent comic book movies have happily killed theirs off. In the DCEU, it was surprising to see Mark Strong's Doctor Sivana survive the events of Shazam.
Despite Doctor Sivana being alive at the end of Shazam, the character won't be in the sequel. Despite many believing that he would turn up at some point, Mark Strong has confirmed he isn't in the sequel.
Mark Strong didn't know he wasn't in Shazam 2
With Shazam: Fury of the Gods starting production in Atlanta this week, the movie’s cast are now hard at work. However, one of the original film's main characters wasn't aware they aren't in the sequel. Following the news production has started, Doctor Sivana actor Mark Strong was surprised to learn he wasn't in it.
“I literally spoke to the producer last night, because I saw that Zach Levi tweeted that they’re about to start shooting in Atlanta," Strong told Den of Geek. "Doctor Sivana isn’t in Shazam! 2."
Strong revealed that he's happy to take the backseat on the sequel in favour of new villains. As the film includes some imposing female villains, the actor is more than happy to see the film do something new.
“What’s happened is, I think Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu and perhaps someone else — they’ve got some female villains in,” Strong explained. “And to be honest with you, I’m very happy to take a back seat to some female villains and let them have a go, because judging by the work that Emma Thompson and Emma Stone have done in Cruella, it’s about time."
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Could Doctor Sivana come back in Shazam 3?
If the upcoming Shazam sequel is successful, there's no reason why Doctor Sivana couldn't return for Shazam 3. In the original's finale, Sivana is shown making an evil alliance with a talking caterpillar – like Mr Nobody and Ezekiel in Doom Patrol.
Mark Strong has revealed that he would be open to reprising his role in the future. However, that all depends on what the studio wishes to do with the franchise going forward.
“Who knows? He’s still got unfinished business with Mister Mind,” the actor told Den of Geek.
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