Shazam: the story so far before you watch Fury of the Gods at Cineworld

DC superhero sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods arrives at Cineworld this March in a host of exciting big-screen formats including IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX. We're inviting you to actively step back into the world of Billy Batson/Shazam, the teenage kid blessed with the power to transform into a grown-up superhero.

In Billy's latest adventure, he must do battle with a host of wrathful Greek gods who believe he is unworthy of his abilities. When said gods are played by acting legend Helen Mirren and scene-stealer Lucy Liu, you know they mean business. 

We appreciate that it's been some four years since Shazam! first appeared on the big screen. We're therefore recapping the story so far, ranging from Billy's backstory to his emergent clique of superhero allies.

• In a mystical temple known as the Rock of Eternity, ancient wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) is seeking a champion upon whom he can bestow his abilities

• He is approached by young child Thaddeus Sivana who finds himself tempted by the power of the Seven Deadly Sins that are currently under Shazam's control

• Sivana is denied Shazam's abilities as the wizard proclaims him to be unworthy and potentially dangerous

• Returning to the real world, Thaddeus unwittingly causes a car accident involving his brother and industrialist father, both of whom hold Thaddeus personally responsible

• However, Thaddeus maintains contact with the Seven Deadly Sins and, as an adult (now played by Mark Strong), he finds his way back to the Rock of Eternity

• Having stolen Shazam's powers, Sivana uses the power of the Sins to wreak terrible revenge on his family, killing his father and brother

• At the same time, 14-year-old orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is bouncing from foster home to foster home after his mother walked out on him

• He winds up at a new home where he eventually bonds with his adoptive brother Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer)

• On the run from some bullies, Billy finds himself magically transported to the Rock of Eternity where he meets Shazam

• The wizard deems him worthy and Billy is granted the ability to transform into a superhero (embodied by Zachary Levi) upon saying the name 'Shazam'

• Billy reveals his Shazam alter-ego to the delighted comic book enthusiast Freddy

• His newfound abilities include newfound powers superhuman strength, near-invulnerability, and electricity manipulation

• However, the embittered Sivana deems that there can be only one champion and demands that Billy relinquish his powers

• Refusing, Billy is drawn into a personal battle with Sivana when the latter takes his foster siblings Darla (Faithe Herman), Mary (Grace Fulton), Eugene (Ian Chen) and Pedro (Jovan Armand) hostage

• Billy uses Shazam's magic staff to share his powers with his foster siblings, and they overcome the Sins by transforming into adult superheroes of their own (played by Meagan Good, Michelle Borth, Ross Butler and D.J. Cotrona, respectively)

• Freddy is also granted an adult superhero alias (as played by Adam Brody)

• In his Shazam guise, Billy subdues Sivana and has him sent to jail

• Billy and his new superhero 'family' return the Sins to where they came from and decide to use the Rock of Eternity as their base of operations

• Billy learns to accept his new foster family and at school, he's amazed when Freddy invites Superman for a visit

• In jail, Sivana is greeted by a talking caterpillar (subsequently revealed as DC Comics villain Mr. Mind) who suggests an allegiance to help bring down Shazam

Up to speed? Excellent – then it's time for the next chapter in the saga. Click here to book your tickets for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, opening at Cineworld on March 17th.