'I had this total breakdown': When Zachary Levi opened up about mental health struggles and Shazam's success

Zachary Levi got real about his mental health struggles before booking Shazam!, and talked about the increased budget and support for the sequel. He shared his appreciation for fans and the benefits of therapy.

Zachary Levi (Source: Relevant)

Zachary Levi (Source: Relevant)

"I had this total breakdown": Zachary Levi's Personal Triumph and Shazam's Journey

Remember when you first heard of Shazam? It was probably around the time Zachary Levi was going through a life-changing phase. As reported by Entertainment Tonight last year, the actor not only opened up about his experience with "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" but also about overcoming a significant mental breakdown in 2017.

Shazam's Rise and Levi's Breakdown

"We were this kind of little engine that could, and everyone was wondering how would the movie do. Then we did quite well, so now there's more faith in us as a franchise," Levi shared. What he also revealed was his struggles with clinical depression and anxiety, something that he's been battling with for most of his life.

Zachary Levi sought what he refers to as a "life-changing, life-saving thing called therapy." He further explained that therapy not only helped him but could benefit others as well. "I think there are so many problems in the world, but if you trace all those problems back to the root, it's somebody's broken heart or broken mind," he stated.

Shazam! Fury of Gods (Source: Prime Video)

More Money, More Time: Shazam's Second Outing

Zachary Levi is now promoting the second Shazam film with excitement. With more budget and time, Warner Bros. showed faith in the franchise, giving them "newer, cooler suits." It's the building of relationships and getting deeper with the characters that Levi finds to be the "fun stuff."

On the fan reaction at Comic-Con, Levi couldn't have asked for more. "I'm just very grateful that I have a career that I have dreamt of having my whole life." The connection with the fan base and hard work paying off is what he finds "dope" and "the coolest."

Conclusion: Triumph Over Adversity

Zachary Levi's story is a unique blend of personal triumph and professional success. From facing a mental breakdown to seeing Shazam rise as a strong franchise, his journey has been filled with lessons and inspiration.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods hit theaters in December last year, and fans enjoyed more action, deeper characters, and an appreciation for mental health and self-love, as inspired by Levi's own journey.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)