By his admission, Levi says that he just acting out his childhood again, and that would be true, were it not for the fact his alter-ego is a bench-pressing, free-weight lifting workout warrior, who is at peace in the gym as he is at home, where he'll be spending significantly more time later this year when he becomes a dad for the first time. The 44-year-old announced in December that he and his partner, Maggie Keating, are expecting their first child together.
Beyond that, Levi has finished shooting Sarah's Oil, a biographical drama about Sarah Rector, who was born at the turn of the 20th Century and was once dubbed the richest black girl in the world, as well as the survival thriller Not Without Hope.
Q: Tell us about The Unbreakable Boy, another in a long line of family-friendly film choices that you've made. LEVI: The Unbreakable Boy has been a personal journey for me. I was immediately drawn to its profound message of resilience and unconditional love, with the narrative centring on Austin, a young boy who, despite facing the dual challenges of autism and brittle bone disease, radiates an infectious joy and optimism. His perspective on life is both inspiring and enlightening, and I felt compelled to bring this story to the screen. The film delves into the complexities of family dynamics, highlighting the highs and lows, the struggles and triumphs.
Q: It's fitting that when this film is released, you will be about to become a father. LEVI: It is fitting, really, because we finished the movie way back in 2022, so it's been in the can for a long time. It was disheartening to see the movie languish, but I firmly believe that everything happens in its rightful time, and the additional period allowed us to refine the film here and there. Q: It's important as well that cinema embraces every type of person in society, right? LEVI: Absolutely - the film's exploration of ADHD and autism is handled with sensitivity and care. It's essential to portray these conditions accurately, and I think we've done that. Ultimately, we're just making a movie, right? But you always hope that what you produce, in the end, will be seen as more than that, something that sticks around for a bit longer and gets people thinking more deeply about things they might not usually consider. Q: I have to quickly note your performance in The Boy With the Purple Crayon from last year, which I thought was brilliant. LEVI: Thank you. It was another leftfield role and one that celebrates children and that amazing thirst for a story. I think that sometimes in cinema, we're in danger of relinquishing that because so much can be about special effects, explosions, and war. Yet every movie should be based around the value of the story, or it has nothing. Q: It's so lovely to speak to someone who is always so stoked about family films, in the sense that they're feel-good, happy endings, and not in the top bracket of coolness, you might suppose; yet you love this type of cinema, don't you? LEVI: Maybe I'm just a big kid myself, but there is something so reassuring and warming about this type of cinema. And being a part of it makes me so excited. People have always said I've got a lot of child-like energy, in any case, so I guess it follows that I would gravitate towards these sorts of projects. It's like when I landed the role of Shazam!, it was fitting that he is a 14-year-old, because I've always almost crystallized myself in that sphere, that age. Q: There seems to be a genuine dispute going on in the superhero world about who the real captain is. So, if the Marvels went at it, who do you think would win? LEVI: Well, there are so many now. Personally, I would say Shazam, of course, but really, you could point to literally a big, long list. Personally, I've always thought Brie Larson was a real force to be reckoned with. I mean, you can't have more of a captain than Captain Marvel, right? Q: Which other stars in the industry do you have a lot of time for? LEVI: Growing up, I was profoundly influenced by actors who could blend humour and depth, making their characters both relatable and memorable. I don't think you'll ever find anyone better at doing that than Tom Hanks. How many times has he made you laugh and cry all at once? In fact, when I was cast as Shazam, I couldn't help but draw parallels to Hank's role in Big. The essence of a child suddenly finding themselves in an adult's body resonated deeply with me. I envisioned Shazam! as a superhero version of Big, capturing that same sense of wonder and innocence. Other actors who have deeply influenced me include the late, great Robin Williams – so much energy and ability to improvise. In the same way as Hanks, I saw how he could make an entire room explode with laughter and then, in the next moment, break your heart. He had this unmatched ability to connect with an audience, and I think that's a rare and beautiful gift. In the modern day, Chris Pratt, Paul Rudd, and Jim Carrey are all talents of a generation, and we're lucky to have them. Q: How easy is it for you to leave characters behind? Do you move on quite quickly? LEVI: No, quite the opposite. I am someone who cares a lot, and I have always cared about the jobs I have gone after and been a part of. We are all defined by what we did in the past; every single action has led us to where we are now, and I'm as grateful for the smallest project on my CV as I am the big box office hits. That's not to say you can't dream about the future and be optimistic and forward-thinking about where you might go next, but certainly never take for granted the past. Q: You've always looked after yourself; where does that come from? LEVI: It hasn't always been that way. To be fair, the day I was told I had got the lead role in Shazam!, I got straight to the gym. I was hooked pretty quickly. I was back there at least five times a week and was eating about 3-4,000 calories every day. That was to help me bulk up to the necessary weight I needed to be. That gave me the stamina to get to the gym regularly, and I began shredding until I got down to about 215lbs. I have been around that weight ever since, and I have to say I have never been so happy with my health, both bodily and in the sense of my mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual outlook. The point is, if I can do this, then anyone can. You've got to love yourself, man. You really do. Q: Are you strict in your routine? LEVI: No, I can't be. I've always found it's a fine line between structure and boredom. You have to listen to your body and be sensible in mixing it up if that's the way to keep it fresh and functioning. If you don't do that, you'll find ways to cut corners because the training is too mechanical – perhaps you'll cry off ill from training, or won't extend properly on stretches. The beautiful thing about repetition is that it's the only real way of showing you how far you've come, but on the other hand, there is always the real threat of boredom.
GEEK OR UNIQUE?
Is Zachary Levi a man of mystery or a devoted geek?
Zachary Levi has never been shy about embracing his inner geek. Long before he donned the red suit as Shazam, he was the kid devouring comic books and spending hours immersed in video games. "Playing Shazam is like my childhood dream come true," he once said. It's no surprise that he has a deep love for gaming, particularly The Legend of Zelda series, which remains one of his all-time favourites.
But before Hollywood came calling, Levi's reality was far from the world of superheroes. One of his early jobs was at a car wash - a job he freely admits he wasn't very good at. "People would come back and ask me to do it again," he laughed. His big break came with Chuck, where he combined action, comedy, and a lovable nerdiness that resonated with fans.
His talents extend far beyond acting as well. Many may not realise that Levi is an accomplished singer. His smooth vocals charmed Disney fans when he voiced Flynn Rider in Tangled, proving that he was just as much a Disney prince as he was a superhero.
Through it all, Levi has remained grounded. His mantra is simple: "Be kind. Life's too short to be anything else." Whether he's fighting villains on screen or geeking out over his favourite fandoms, his optimism and warmth are what truly make him a hero.