Shazam 2 has locked down a release date. There has been much discussion, and some confusion, regarding this project over the course of the last week or so. During CCXP in Brazil last weekend, multiple reports stated that Shazam 2 was announced by Warner Bros. at the event. The studio then stepped in to declare that they hadn't actually announced the sequel just yet. But now they've got a release date set, so this is happening, if there were any doubt.

Despite claiming Shazam 2 had not been confirmed, Warner Bros. has now set Shazam 2 for release on April 1, 2022. The studio had previously set the date aside for an untitled event movie. This comes as Warner Bros. has been shuffling around its release schedule for the next few years. On the DC Films side of things, The Flash, the long-gestating solo movie that will star Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster, will finally hit theaters on July 1, 2022. So, it will be a pair of red-costumed heroes leading the way for DC in 2022.

On its new date, the sequel will be facing nothing in the way of competition, as no other movies are currently scheduled to open that same day. It's still a long way off, so that could change, but for now, it seems like a solid bet. The first Shazam opened earlier this year on April 5 and that proved to work out quite well. Though not a monster hit, the lighthearted DC Comics adaptation grossed $364 million at the worldwide box office. The movie was also met with very strong reviews from both critics and audiences.

Zachary Levi is expected to return as the DC hero in Shazam 2, with Asher Angel set to play his younger counterpart Billy Batson. In the movie, Billy is gifted god-like powers, not unlike those possessed by Superman, by a wizard, allowing the adolescent boy to transform into the hero by saying the word Shazam. Previously, it was revealed that Henry Gayden, who penned the first movie, had been tapped by Warner Bros. to return and pen the sequel. It hasn't yet been confirmed if director David F. Sandberg will return as well, but it seems likely the studio will want to keep the same creative team in place, if possible. It has been rumored that Shazam 2 shoots summer 2020.

There is a 5 Movie Plan for Shazam in place. Other upcoming DC Films releases include Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) on February 7, 2020, Wonder Woman 1984 on June 5, 2020, The Batman on June 25, 2021, and The Suicide Squad on August 6, 2021. Aquaman 2 is also set to arrive on December 16, 2022, and there has been some discussion about Joker 2, given the success of director Todd Phillips' R-rated take on the Clown Prince of Crime, but nothing has been firmed up on that front yet. We'll be sure to keep you posted as any further details on the project are made available. This news was previously reported by The Wrap.