Zachary Levi Issues Statement To Clarify His Comment That Strike Rules Are “So Dumb” Was Taken Out Of Context

Zachary Levi isn’t afraid an actor afraid to voice his views, particularly on why “Shazam!: Fury Of The Gods” did so poorly at the box office earlier this year. But the actor had to clarify comments he made at a Manchester Comic-Con last week about the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike went viral. Apparently, some on the internet think Levi called the strikes rules about his inability to talk about his previous work “so dumb.” THR reports that Levi has issued a public statement saying fans are taking his phrasing out of context.

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“It’s come to my attention that an offhand remark I made in jest last weekend is being taken out of context,” Levi said in his statement released today. “So let me be very clear. I fully support my union, the WGA, and the strike. I remain an outspoken critic of the exploitative system that us artists are subject to work in since I started my journey in this business 25 years ago. This strike is necessary to protect ourselves, our writers, and all those working in production who make the industry move.”

But we also cannot forget our fans during this strike,” Levi continued. “Fans that spend their money and energy traveling far distances to talk with us about our work that means so much to them, we should be able to engage. Our business exists and succeeds because of the fans, and I think it’s imperative we appreciate them for their support of our careers.”

Backlash about Levi’s comments emerged after a video appeared online of him at Machester Comic-Con in the UK last month. On video, Levi talked about how he couldn’t discuss any of his former or upcoming projects, including the two “Shazam!” films, “Tangled,” and “Chuck.” 

“I’m not allowed to talk about … this is so dumb,” Levi said. “I’m not allowed to talk about any of my previous work. I’m not allowed to talk about movies that I may be a superhero in. I’m not allowed to talk about TV shows that I may have been a nerd who worked at a Best Buy. I’m not allowed to talk about any animated princess movies that I was fantastic in — as the best prince ever! I’m not allowed to talk about those things.”

After the video started circulating earlier this week, fans started to lash out against the actor. Some even compared Levi’s comments to those of “Arrow” actor Stephen Arnell, who received similar backlash for saying, “I don’t support the strike” and that it’s a “reductive negotiating tactic.” Arnell has since backpedaled on those statements.

But those who familiar with Levi and his online presence know already that he stands with SAG-AFTRA members in solidarity. In a video Levi posted on Instagram last month, the actor said, “[The studio executives] do not care about human life, they don’t care about, really, life in general. They care about profits. It’s always profit over people and not the other way around. So mark my words, if we don’t do something drastic right now…we’re doing something very drastic, and we need to be doing this very drastic thing. We need to be striking, we should have done this years ago.”

So is this a case of Levi putting his foot in his mouth, or some of that “toxic” “online hate” Levi called out recently regarding the failure of “Fury Of The Gods”? It’s clear that which side of the picket line Levi stand on, so let’s call this one unnecessary online bashing of an actor whose heart is in the right place here. But let’s hope Levi lets go of his disappointment about his latest “Shazam!” movie before the year is over.