Here’s Everything We Know
Helen Mirren, the 75 years old Oscar-winning actress known to bring poise and elegance to every character she plays, has been cast in a villain role for Shazam! Fury of the Gods which is a sequel to Shazam! (2019). Helen Mirren, who is known for playing Caesonia in Caligula (1979) and Morgana in Excalibur (1981), has recently appeared in the Fast & Furious franchise as Magdalene “Queenie” Shaw. Helen Mirren will be portraying Hespera, a name that is not familiar in the DC comics. Hespera is an original character and has no counterpart in the comics.
Who is Hespera?
As per the report by Variety, Hespera is the villainous daughter of the Greek Titan Atlas. If the name cues any bells, comic book readers will know that Shazam derives his powers from six legendary beings, one of which is Atlas himself from whom he derives his Stamina.
Here are some details of the mythological figures that her character, Hespera, might be based on:
- Hesperia was one of the Hesperides, who were the “Nymphs of the West” or “Daughters of the Evening” fathered by the Greek Titan Atlas.
- Hesperia, also known as Asterope, which literally translates to “Starry-Faced”, was the wife of Aesacus and daughter of Cebren. She was also the mother of Peneleos by Hippalcimus.
- Asterope was also the mother of Circe, who has a counterpart in DC comics and is a major villain of Wonder Woman.
- In some versions, Asterope was also called Sterope, who was one of the seven Pleiades, the sea-nymphs fathered by the Greek Titan Atlas and was the sister of Calypso, Hyas, the Hyades, and the Hesperides.
- The 7 Pleiades were Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope and Merope from eldest to the youngest.
Rachel Zegler, a young actress and Youtuber, has been cast in an unknown role but it will be safe to postulate that she will be playing the youngest of the trio of villainous sisters which are said to appear in the Shazam! the sequel as suggested by Variety. Also, the title “Fury of the Gods” is pretty much a giveaway that there will be a multitude of villains to take on the Shazam family.
All the cast from the previous film are set to reprise their roles for the sequel. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is set to be released on 2nd June 2023 in theatres. For more on Shazam and the DCEU, be sure to check our website.
