SHAZAM’S GRACE CAROLINE CURREY ON BRINGING MARY MARVEL TO LIFE — A BOOK OF MAGAZINE (2024)

BY IRVIN RIVERA

Actress and director Grace Caroline Currey plays Mary Marvel in DC’s Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. She also played Becky in the film Fall, about Best friends Becky and Hunter who find themselves at the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower.

Grace's character, Mary Marvel, is the alter ego of teenager Mary Batson (adopted name Mary Bromfield), twin sister of Captain Marvel's alter-ego, Billy Batson. Like her brother, Mary has been granted the power of the wizard Shazam. In the film, Grace was able to portray Mary's character development successfully since she debuted in the first film.

What are the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?

Filming in Georgia in the summer was pretty rough. One of the challenges of working in extreme heat is, it can make you feel very sluggish, which is the complete opposite of how you need to feel in superhero action sequences. Not to mention superheroes aren’t supposed to sweat, which is hard not to do when you’re running around in a ‘supersuit’ with a turtleneck.

How did you manage to rise above the challenges?

Water! Fans! Cold cloths! But I do have to say, in general, not much can top the challenges I faced when filming Fall, which was so stunt heavy, shot practically in the desert, and in the wildest weather conditions. Any challenge that came up during Shazam, I just thought, “You made it through filming Fall. You’ve been through much worse! You got this.” Rising above the challenges looked like, reminding myself of what I’ve already overcome.

When we were filming the stunt where Mary and Darla drop from the warehouse ceiling, down into Shazam and Hespera’s fight, it was a big drop… and it was so thrilling to feel confident I could do the stunt, because of the stunt-work I’d done in Fall.

What’s the most memorable moment for you throughout the whole process of making the film?

Oh gosh, from 5 months of shooting… It’s really hard to pick. Right now, I’m thinking about the early mornings in the hair and makeup trailer, drinking a cup of tea, and having thoughtful chats about life with Hagen and Dawn - my dream team that turned me into Mary each day.

What is your proudest moment of your career so far?

Pretty special to be a DC superhero and get to bring Mary Marvel to life.

Everyone’s process is different, and each has their unique approach to things. Can you walk us through your creative process whenever you go and film a scene?

I do a lot of my prep work before shooting starts, the moment I get the script. I like to map out my character’s journey through the film, her emotions, her actions… I’ll take note of moments of growth or change. I’ll write out her relationships with the other characters, what she thinks of them, and their history together. I just analyze as much as I can and see what feelings come up - It’s like being a detective of how life has impacted the character and asking myself what nuances I can bring from my own life experience. Then when it comes time to film, no matter how much prep I’ve done, there’s nothing like the feedback you get from working off another actor and the choices they make, the surprises that can come from it. I love being surprised.

How did acting start for you? Was it something that you’ve always wanted from a young age?

My older brother was an actor, and I would always ask my mom, “When’s it my turn?” I started around the age of 5, so very young. I remember falling in love with being on set, getting to work with adults and do my part the best I could. The wardrobe, the sets, it was playing the ultimate game of pretend.

Who and what inspires you?

I’m inspired by actors who have full lives outside of their work. So much of our job is temporary, and even though you meet these lovely people who become like family, that you work with for months at a time… it’s so beautiful to have a life and a home you look forward to coming back to.

What’s your dream project?

Gosh something immersive, with stunning locations, amazing wardrobe, and a gorgeous score. I’d love to play a character with a different dialect… and be in a period film… Honestly anything in the realm of Atonement, Hostiles, or Far from the Madding Crowd.

Also playing Audrey Hepburn… Studying her dialect, physicality, the beautiful human poem that she was, would be a dream. To use my dance background and sing…The films she made, the costumes she wore, the person that she was - what a wonderful world to enter into.

Which Directors / Filmmakers do you want to work with in the future?

Becky in Fall had such intense encounters with her emotions. I’m one to feel what I feel, and in doing so try to get to the other side of that emotion. But with Becky she’s so worn down from despair… it was humbling to sit in her grief, to feel the stagnation of it. But then so liberating to journey with her through the emotions that come up when being stuck on the tower, her encountering immense betrayal, feeling anger, hopelessness… and then ultimately confronting her will to live. Playing someone who goes on such a grit filled journey, was fascinating. I really loved digging deep within myself and sitting in emotions I’d normally try to pass through.

Let’s talk about dance. How much does it affect and inspire your life in general?

Ah, dance. One of my first loves. Ballet is discipline and perseverance. You encounter your physical limits and through consistency and care, you can push past them and grow. You get out of it what you put into it. I think most of my work ethic comes from my ballet training.

How do you mentally deal with success/fame?

Oh, I don’t know, I haven’t really dealt with fame… I feel like the people around me deal with that.

But I do feel that I’ve had some lovely success… it’s been a long journey of some not so successful times.. so, I’m grateful for moments where it feels like my perseverance has paid off. I’m trying to do a better job of taking the time to rest and celebrate, instead of looking for what’s next.

What are you most excited about this year?

The last few years have been so full and exciting, I’m really looking forward to taking some time off to get some time with family, slow down, and rest.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I’d be a sort of interactive book. There’d be photos of dancers, poems, paintings, stories, and little envelopes on the pages that hold notes or pieces of fabric/ribbon. There would probably be prompts in the book for the reader to go on a walk and gather flowers to press in the pages of the book… Basically a mood board turned activity book, that I hope would inspire others to make art.