Shazam star Zachary Levi, 42, is slammed online for tweets agreeing that COVID vaccine-maker Pfizer is a ‘danger to the world’ – just one month before $100m superhero sequel is released
- Levi, 42, reposted a tweet calling Pfizer ‘a real danger to the world’
- Rumors spread on social media that the actor was espousing anti-vax beliefs
- Levi has so far not responded to the rumors or DailyMail.com’s comment request
The actor Zachary Levi left fans wondering if he was opposed to vaccinations after he posted tweets critical of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in the early hours of Sunday.
The Shazam! Fury Of The Gods star — whose new DC Comics film is set to hit theaters on March 17 — set off the controversy after he quote tweeted a post from an account espousing anti-vaccine views that claimed Pfizer was ‘a real danger to the world.’
Levi, 42, wrote in his retweet, ‘Hardcore agree.’
Although Levi was expressing a personal opinion through his endorsement of the tweet he is now a fairly key figure in the DC brand and this latest move could mark the beginning of yet another publicity battle for the film and TV studio.
DC Studios, a division of Warner Bros, is the film and television company that oversees the production of various films based on DC comics and material.
This is the latest embarrassing feat in a myriad of issues Warner has had in trying to promote films starring controversial characters.
Anti-vax controversy: Zachary Levi, 42, sparked rumors that he may have anti-vaccine views after he posted multiple tweets critical of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer early on Sunday; seen in December 2021 in Los Angeles
Response: The actor tweeted a post from an account espousing anti-vaccine views that claimed Pfizer was ‘a real danger to the world,’ and added his response, ‘Hardcore agree’
Recently the company faced another embarrassing debacle relating to its star Ezra Miller, who was due to appear in its $250m superhero flick The Flash.
Last week he pleaded guilty to an unlawful trespassing charge for breaking into their neighbor’s home in Vermont and stealing alcohol.
It September an exposé of the actor’s 2022 arrests showed that he ran a secret harem out of his Vermont ranch, a recent – a de facto convent where the star asserted himself as a Jesus figure over a number of women.
In December Superman star Henry Cavill was fired by DC just days after the axe fell on Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 3 and a massive shake-up at DC Studios. Just months prior in October Cavill had been told by DC bosses to announce that he would be returning as Superman.
After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life,’ he said at the time.
AN ONGOING PR NIGHTMARE FOR DC STUDIOS AND WARNER
June 2022 – Ezra Miller is accused of grooming a teenage girl
August 2022 – Batgirl is canned after test screenings lead studio execs to think it would hurt the future of the brand to release it
September 2022 – Ezra Miller’s arrest records indicate that the star of $250million film The Flash ran a secret Harem out of his Vermont ranch
December 2022 – Dwayne Johnson, who starred in Black Adam, reportedly leaks false financials to mitigate claims the film was another DC failure
December 2022 – Superman star Henry Cavill is fired months after announcing to fans he was going to return to the role
January 2023 – Shazam star Zachary Levi endorses tweets suggesting ‘Pfizer is a real danger to the world’
The 29-year-old British actor most recently had a cameo appearance as Superman at the end of Warner Bros’ Black Adam. That came just days before James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought on as the new heads of the studio.
Levi’s potentially problematic comments were made in the early hours on January 29.
The Chuck actor soon followed up with another reposted tweet from a link titled, ‘Justice Department announces largest healthcare fraud settlement in history,’ which was originally shared in 2009.
He then typed out, ‘Just one example of what I’m referring to…,’ followed by a sad face emoji.
The latest tweets from the talented star immediately prompted backlash from social media users who jumped to the comment section to offer their own thoughts.
One follower wrote out, ‘Chuck was good but not good enough for you to be doing all this…’
Another user typed out in the comment section, ‘Blocked for disappointing nonsense,’ while a fan came to the defense of Zachary and wrote, ‘the way people jump to conclusions and assume the worst is the most toxic part of twitter.’
However, another Twitter user penned, ‘Here I was, actually kind of excited for your movie. But nah. I’m not supporting you now.’
Fighting: Earlier last year in November, Zachary, who was previously married to actress Missy Peregrym, gave an update about his father’s health battle
Another tweet: The Chuck actor shared another repost with an ‘example’ from the Justice Department, and penned, ‘Just one example of what I’m referring to…,’ followed by a sad face emoji
Response: The latest tweets from the talented star immediately prompted backlash from social media users who jumped to the comment section
The tweets come shortly before Zachary revealed on his social media accounts Sunday morning that his father had tragically passed away a few days earlier after a battle with cancer.
He shared a heartbreaking message titled Papa D and wrote, ‘Many of you have been asking for an update on my dad, Darrell. Though he fought valiantly until the end, my pop passed away peacefully a few days ago, surrounded by friends and family.’
The American Underdog star continued, ‘Watching anyone slowly die of cancer is one of the worst experiences I can attest to. But knowing that he is no longer trapped in his decaying body, and now singing karaoke in heaven, gives me so much peace and joy.’
Recent loss: Earlier Sunday morning, Zachary revealed on Twitter and Instagram that his father had passed away a few days earlier after a battle with cancer; seen in Nashville in November 2021
Heartbreaking message: The star wrote out in a message that, ‘Though he fought valiantly until the end, my pop passed away peacefully a few days ago, surrounded by friends and family’
The star emotionally expressed that all the ‘love’ and ‘prayers’ that were sent to his father has given him, ‘even more faith in humanity. Know that he felt and appreciated it all, as did our whole family.’
In conclusion, Zachary added, ‘Sending you all endless love and light right back.’ Along with the message, the actor additionally added a caption to the post, where he emphasized the importance of family.
‘Hug those you love. Hug ‘em tight. Talk about everything you need to talk about. Say all the things. And when the time comes, release them to journey back to where it all began. Back to paradise. A place we’ll all be so lucky to return to some day.’
Social media users and fellow celebrities quickly sent their condolences to the Shazam actor as he mourned the loss of his father.
Earlier last year in November, Zachary, who was previously married to actress Missy Peregrym, gave an update about his father’s health battle as he recovered from surgery, stating that doctors were able to ‘remove 90% of the cancer from his body.’
Updates: Earlier this month, Zachary penned to his followers that his father’s ‘thyroid cancer just won’t quit’ and that ‘Papa D is not long for this world’
Earlier this month in January, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star revealed that he was ‘Sittin in my dad’s hospital room with him. He’s not doin so hot right now.’ He further explained that his father’s ‘thyroid cancer just won’t quit’ and that ‘Papa D is not long for this world.’
Zachary is set to appear on the big screen later this year on March 17 in the sequel, Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, and a new trailer was recently released earlier this week. Alongside the actor, other stars that were cast in the action film include Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren.
When talking about what fans can expect in the second installment, director David F. Sandberg explained to Entertainment Weekly that Zachary, ‘has serious range, and I think it’s nice he gets to show some of that in this one.’
‘It’s not just like, ‘Wow, I get to be a superhero!’ He actually has to take some responsibility and save the world this time.’
Last month in December, Zachary personally responded to rumors that there was a possibility that he would be replaced in the DC Universe, and told fans on Twitter, ‘Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci,’ referencing to the user’s tweet he reposted.
DailyMail.com has reached out Levi’s representative for comment.
Still in the DC Universe: Last month in December, Zachary personally responded to rumors that there was a possibility that he would be replaced in the DC Universe
Sequel: When talking about what fans can expect in the upcoming Shazam! sequel, director David F. Sandberg explained to Entertainment Weekly that Zachary, ‘has serious range’ and that, ‘He actually has to take some responsibility and save the world this time’; seen in April 2022 in Las Vegas
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