Shazam! and Euphoria are two projects that I’ve never thought about at the same time, because they couldn’t be more different. Nevertheless, both became important elements of the zeitgeist and had a great impact on the audience. It turns out that Jack Dylan Grazer, who played Freddie Freeman in Shazam! and his sequel “Rage of the Gods” had to choose between two projects. As a result, he turned down a role in Euphoria to join the DC universe, and explained why he was “glad” that he turned down the popular HBO drama.
Speaking about how Jack Dylan Grazer auditioned and didn’t get roles in projects like “Mid-90s” and “City on Fire,” he also mentioned a role he got, but then had to turn it down. The young actor spoke in detail about almost being an ashtray in Euphoria, but then abandoned it because of Shazam! on the Zack Sang show, saying:
I had to make Euphoria. I had to make this ashtray on Euphoria. I didn’t do it because I did Shazam, and I’m so happy about it.
It’s really wild to think that the Ashtray was almost played by Jack Dylan Grazer, because Javon Walton in my imagination is a character, and Grazer is Freddie. Shazam! The star explained why he was glad he turned down an offer to join the cast of Euphoria, saying:
I’m so glad because he’s dead or not dead? That’s why I don’t want it. Freddie Freeman will never die! If he dies, man, I’m going to be pissed. If Freddie Freeman dies, I’ll say, “I should have [done] Euphoria,” and then I’ll regret everything.
He’s right, it looks like the Ashtray is dying in the second season of Euphoria. Recall: Walton’s character and Fez were caught by the FBI in the finale. There is a shootout in the apartment, and Ash turns out to have a red dot on his head, the camera turns away and we hear a shot. So while it seems safe to assume that he is no longer alive, the Ashtray’s survival is one of the biggest questions in the second season of Euphoria.
One character who is 100% alive is Freddie Freeman. Grazer went on to talk about how much he loves Shazam!, and how much he wanted to be in the DC universe. The young actor even said that he grew up with DC, and that Batman was his “favorite dude” as a child. It also seems that the star of “It” enjoys filming these films and loves his colleagues on the set. In addition, he is also perfect for Freddie, if you watch one interview with Jack Dylan Grazer, it will become quite clear because they are both cute, chatty, funny guys.
It seems that everything turned out as expected when Jack Dylan Grazer was choosing between Shazam! and Euphoria. While Javon Walton is perfect for the role of the Ashtray, Grazer continues to prove that he is one of the hilarious scene stealers in Shazam! movie. Not to mention that “Freddie Freeman will never die,” according to the actor, so the decision to go with the DC movie gave him a character that lasted longer (as far as we know), and there will always be a chance for him to reprise the role in future DC projects.
You can see the return of Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddie Shazam! “Rage of the Gods”, when the film is released in theaters on March 15, you will also be able to see his performance in the first Shazam! as well as Walton’s performance in Euphoria with an HBO Max subscription.
