Shazam 2 Director Reveals Lights Out Easter Egg You Won’t See In Movie

Director David F. Sandberg has revealed the Lights Out Easter egg he hid in the DC Extended Universe sequel Shazam 2 that viewers won’t see in the film. The seventh installment in the DCEU, the first Shazam! centered on troubled teen orphan Billy Batson as the titular wizard enlists him in becoming the titular champion and protecting the world from the Seven Deadly Sins. With the help of foster home brother and superhero fanatic Freddy Freeman, Billy learns how to handle his powers and faces off against the villainous Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

Before making his splash in the comic book world, Sandberg broke out with his horror short “Lights Out,” which went viral shortly after its release and was acquired by Warner Bros. and James Wan for a feature-length adaptation directed by Sandberg. The film centered on a young woman as she comes to learn the terrifying entity she encountered as a child is real and must confront her fears and her issues with her mother to keep her brother safe. The film was a hit upon release, garnering very positive reviews from critics and grossing nearly $149 million worldwide against its $4.9 million budget, and Warner Bros swiftly ordered a sequel.

As production continues on the follow-up to the 2019 DCEU hit, Sandberg has taken to Instagram to reveal a photo from the bedroom set of Billy and Freddy. Hidden on the wall next to a poster of iconic ’80s adventure pic The Goonies is a poster of the director’s horror hit Lights Out, which he intended to include in the film until realizing the angles used in the movie didn’t show that part of the wall. Check out the image below:

Whether it’s creating a whole network of loosely connected stories and characters akin to Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse or subtle nods like Leigh Whannell and James Wan’s inclusion of Saw’s Billy the Puppet in all of their films, directors love to include references to their past works. Though some may feel forced or excessive, it generally proves to be a fun bit of fan service to those who follow filmmakers across their careers and genre jumps. Given Sandberg’s past in the horror genre, the inclusion of the Seven Deadly Sins as the film’s villain made for an excellent usage of his talent of chilling viewers to their bone.

It’s unfortunate, though, that the poster of Lights Out will not be seen in the final cut of Shazam 2 due to the angles utilized in the shoot. Granted, the milk crate parked in front of it and various other knickknacks would’ve made it so only the eagle-eyed viewer would have caught it, but it would’ve been a treat for those paying close enough attention. Fans will now have to keep their fingers crossed that Lights Out’s greenlit sequel will finally materialize to bring Sandberg back to the horror fold.