Helen Mirren to play main villain in  Shazam: Fury of the Gods'       

Veteran actor Helen Mirren will be playing the main antagonist in DC Films and New Line's upcoming superhero tentpole,  Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Mirren, known for films like The Queen, Hitchcock and Red series, will be seen as Hespera, the villainous daughter of the god Atlas.

Zachary Levi will return as the titular superhero for the project, which is a sequel to 2019 movie Shazam!

David F Sandberg, who helmed the first part, has also been signed to direct the sequel while  Henry Gayden will be in charge of the script.

The follow-up will continue the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word "Shazam!" is struck by the Living Lightning of the gods and transformed into his adult superhero alter ego, Shazam.

Also, Asher Angel will reprise his role of teenager Billy Batson.

Debutant Rachel Zegler, who is set to feature as Maria in Steven Spielberg's'take on West Side Story, will also feature in the new movie in a key role.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods will be produced by Peter Safran through The Safran Company. The film is set to debut in June 2023.