Shazam! director David Sandberg has taken to Twitter to explain the Batman and Superman logos that appear in the movie’s trailer.
In the Shazam! trailer, a child can be seen with a Batman logo backpack and another child with a Superman toy. While the casual viewer may think those are subtle hints at the DCEU’s expanded universe, hardcore fans question the inclusion.
If one looks closely, the Batman logo is the traditional badge with a yellow oval around it. This is quite different from the actual bat-logo sans yellow oval that is emblazoned on Batman’s chest. Similarly, the Superman toy does not fully resemble Superman’s actual costume in-universe.
On Twitter, fans pointed this discrepancy out to Sandberg who immediately shot back with a joking response.
In the movie those toy designers all get fired for taking creative license. It’s a big plot point that sets up the villain of Shazam 2. https://t.co/aBIJSGTmFX
— David F. Sandberg (@ponysmasher) December 28, 2018
Crisis of Infinite Logos
Of course this is not the first time a DCEU movie has shown products with different logos on it. Suicide Squad also had a vendor selling Batman shirts with the yellow badge logo. The real explanation is creative license.
And despite Sandberg joking about the toy designers being fired and having a role in a sequel, that could actually sound really awesome. Just think of the hypothetical Shazam sequel where those disgruntled toy designers become the next Toy Man. You’re welcome, Warner Bros.
Check out the trailer for yourself below.
Shazam! hits theaters April 5, 2019.