One of the most iconic scenes in Shazam! actually repeats a moment from Superman III, a movie that came out 36 years earlier. Decades before the DCU, Superman rose to prominence on the big screen thanks to the incredible Christopher Reeve.

Reeve was the definitive Superman for years, and despite newer films and shows casting fresh talent as Clark Kent, Reeve remains highly respected for his foundational role in taking this character beyond the pages of the comics.

And while the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie stands out as the most widely celebrated, Reeve starred in a total of four movies which all had some degree of influence over Superman, and the superhero genre as a whole.

Shazam’s Superman Cameo Is One Of The Biggest Parts Of The Movie

The Superman Cameo In Freddy’s School Is Iconic

Interestingly, while Superman may well be the most famous superhero of all time, there is another foundational superhero who debuted in comics just one year later in 1939. From that point onwards, Superman’s story was forever intertwined with Shazam, despite the latter being considerably less popular.

In the DCEU, Shazam reflects on the connection between these two heroes when the powered-up Billy Batson arrives at Freddy’s school with none other than Superman.

This scene, which is played out as a gag in Shazam!, actually has many more layers that aren’t obvious upon an initial watch. And while Superman doesn’t show his face, the scene still manages to stand out as one of the most memorable from the film.

Shazam’s Superman Cameo Mirrors A Key Superman III Scene

Superman III Had Superman Come Visit A Child In Smallville

In Superman III, which came out in 1983, 36 years before Shazam! appeared on the big screen, Clark Kent finds himself reconnecting with his hometown of Smallville, and people like Lana Lang. While visiting, Clark has to transform into Superman, and he meets Lana’s son, Ricky.

Obviously, Ricky is overjoyed to meet his idol, and he has Superman promise to come and visit his school to prove they had actually met. And of course, as obliging as Superman is, he agrees to come back and visit Ricky.

Now, the movie ends up seeing Superman embraced by the whole town, as they literally throw a parade in his honor, but the sentiment behind this scene is remarkably similar to what happens in Shazam!

Why The Shazam & Superman III Scenes Are So Similar

Shazam & Superman Have A Lot In Common

The fact that both of these scenes happen because a young boy is desperate to impress his classmates, and show off their unbelievable good fortune in having a personal encounter with the world’s greatest superhero is already a fun connection.

However, the relationship between these heroes, having been released around the same time in comics, and the similarities in their powers draw further connections. And the DCEU’s decision to play up this connection with a scene that pays tribute to Christopher Reeve’s Superman is a perfect subtle nod to the extensive history behind DC Comics.

The actual events differ to some degree, with Superman making a direct promise to Ricky, and Freddy making an ill-advised promise to his classmates that he had no guarantee he could deliver on. But the outcome, with the incredible Man of Steel showing up in a bizarre and outrageous situation, like in a school, or as the guest of honor in Smallville’s celebration, is remarkably similar tonally.

It’s possible that Shazam!’s scene was made with no clear intention of connecting back, but even if that’s the case, the coincidence is a beautiful connective element that binds the DC stories, old and new, together. And in both scenarios, it’s played off as being fun, and quirky, and out of the ordinary.

Regardless of the intentionality of these two scenes, it’s awesome to see how much material there is to look back on, and when these subtle connections pop up. And Superman III lives on through these small moments, with Shazam! helping to carry the legacy forward to a new generation of fans.