As of 3:10 PM +07 on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the candid revelation by Rachel Zegler about her decision to join the DC Universe (DCU) in Shazam! Fury of the Gods continues to resonate in Hollywood circles. The 24-year-old actress, celebrated for her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story and now navigating a rocky career path with projects like Snow White and Evita, made headlines in March 2023 when she admitted her motivation was simple: “I needed a job.” This unfiltered comment, shared during the Shazam! Fury of the Gods premiere, offers a rare glimpse into the pragmatic realities faced by even rising stars, shedding light on the challenges of the entertainment industry during uncertain times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her story, blending opportunity with necessity, has sparked discussions about talent, timing, and the evolving landscape of superhero cinema.
The Pandemic Pivot
Zegler’s journey into the DCU began amid the upheaval of the global pandemic, a period that stalled productions and left many actors, including herself, scrambling for work. In a red-carpet interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the then-21-year-old explained, “The reality is we’re in the middle of a pandemic and I was not working, and I couldn’t get a job for the life of me because West Side Story hadn’t come out yet.” Her debut film, Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of the classic musical, was delayed from its original 2020 release to December 2021 due to lockdown measures, leaving Zegler in a professional limbo. With auditions scarce and her breakout role yet to debut, the offer to play Anthea, one of the Daughters of Atlas, in Shazam! Fury of the Gods arrived as a lifeline. “I was really excited when this came in my inbox,” she added, underscoring the relief and opportunity the role represented.
This honesty struck a chord with fans and peers alike. Social media buzzed with appreciation for her relatability, with one commenter noting, “The most cost-effective three-second resume in history.” Others praised her willingness to embrace a superhero gig—a genre not traditionally her forte—as a stepping stone. The pandemic had decimated traditional filmmaking schedules, with studios prioritizing franchises like the DCU to ensure box-office stability. For Zegler, this shift opened a door she might not have otherwise considered, highlighting how external circumstances can shape an actor’s career path.
A Role Born of Necessity
Zegler’s character, Anthea, marked her entry into the DCU as the youngest of the three Daughters of Atlas, alongside Helen Mirren as Hespera and Lucy Liu as Kalypso. The role, though supporting, offered a chance to showcase her versatility beyond musical theater. Director David F. Sandberg explained the decision to draw from Greek mythology, noting that Shazam’s powers, derived from gods like Zeus and Hercules, provided a narrative hook for the Daughters’ revenge plot. Zegler’s casting came after she auditioned for Supergirl in The Flash, a role that went to Sasha Calle. Casting director Rich Delia, recognizing her potential, pivoted to offer her the Shazam! part instead, a move that paid off with a chemistry read alongside Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Freddy Freeman.
Zegler’s admission of needing a job was paired with enthusiasm for the project. “I loved the first movie, and the fact that they even wanted me to come in for a callback and then a camera read… I’m so lucky that I got this job,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. The experience fostered lasting friendships and a fondness for the film, despite its mixed critical reception—earning a 49% on Rotten Tomatoes—and modest $133 million global box office against a $110-125 million budget. Her pragmatic approach contrasted with the typical Hollywood narrative of passion-driven casting, offering a refreshing perspective on the industry’s grind.
Career Context and Evolution
Zegler’s entry into Shazam! Fury of the Gods was a pivotal moment in a career that has oscillated between triumph and turbulence. Her West Side Story role as María, secured through a viral audition at age 17, catapulted her to fame, earning her a Golden Globe in 2022. However, the pandemic delay left her in a precarious position, with no immediate follow-up projects. The DCU role, released in March 2023, bridged that gap, paving the way for subsequent ventures like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and Disney’s Snow White (2025). Her Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (2024-2025) and West End turn in Evita (2025) further showcased her musical roots, though the latter has faced its own challenges with ticket sales.
The Shazam! experience also highlighted her adaptability. Initially rejected for Supergirl, she embraced Anthea’s complex dynamic with the Shazam family, including a hinted romance with Freddy. This flexibility has been a hallmark of her career, though it has not shielded her from controversy. Her candidness about Shazam!’s casting echoed later comments defending the film against “senselessly mean” criticism, reflecting a resilience that has carried her through mixed reviews and public backlash over projects like Snow White.
Industry Reflections
Zegler’s story mirrors a broader trend among actors navigating the superhero boom. The pandemic accelerated reliance on established franchises, with the DCU and Marvel Cinematic Universe offering stability amid uncertainty. Her admission aligns with observations that many high-profile actors treat such roles as “paying dues” or a “cash grab” to fund passion projects, a sentiment echoed by industry analysts. The DCU’s shift under James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Chapter One titled “Gods and Monsters,” suggests potential for characters like Anthea to evolve, though Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ underwhelming performance has cast doubt on immediate sequels.
Critics have noted the irony of her joining a faltering DCU slate—The Flash (2023) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) also struggled—yet her role’s mythological ties could align with future projects like the Paradise Lost series. Zegler herself expressed interest in returning, telling Screen Rant, “I would love to come back in any capacity,” hinting at a desire to explore Anthea’s origins. This openness contrasts with the film’s reception, where some fans felt her character lacked depth, a critique she countered by emphasizing the joy of the process.
Fan and Cultural Impact
The public’s reaction to Zegler’s “I needed a job” comment was overwhelmingly positive at first, with social media lauding her authenticity. “Love her. Honestly a pretty relatable answer,” one Reddit user wrote. However, as her career faced scrutiny—particularly with Snow White’s $115 million loss and Evita’s ticket struggles—some reframed it as a sign of desperation, fueling narratives of a declining star. Her Colombian-American heritage, celebrated as a milestone as the second Latina in the DCU after Sasha Calle, added a layer of cultural significance, though it also drew racist backlash she has publicly addressed.
Zegler’s journey underscores the dual nature of fame: opportunity and vulnerability. Her willingness to share the unglamorous side of her ascent humanizes her, resonating with aspiring actors facing similar hurdles. Yet, it also exposes the precariousness of a career built on high-stakes projects, where a single misstep can amplify existing pressures.
Looking Ahead
As of July 2025, Zegler’s DCU chapter remains a footnote, with her focus shifting to Evita and future films like She Gets It from Me. The Shazam! role, born of necessity, proved a launchpad despite its mixed legacy. Her candor about needing work during the pandemic offers a lens into an industry where survival often trumps idealism, a reality that may shape her future choices. Whether she returns to the DCU depends on its reboot’s direction, but her Shazam! experience—marked by luck, friendship, and resilience—stands as a testament to navigating fame’s unpredictable tides.
For now, Zegler’s admission remains a defining moment, blending practicality with passion in a career still unfolding. As she moves forward, the lessons from Shazam! Fury of the Gods—embracing opportunity, weathering criticism, and building connections—may well guide her through the next act of her Hollywood story.
