Middle East Film & Comic Con: Zachary Levi wants to be in every cinematic universe

'Shazam' and 'Thor' star outlines ambitious plans at MEFCC's opening panel

This image released by Warner Bros. shows Zachary Levi, left, and Jack Dylan Grazer in a scene from "Shazam!" (Steve Wilkie/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)

The Middle East Film and Comic Con opened its doors to the public for its first full day on Friday with the revelation that Shazam star Zachary Levi has set himself the challenge of appearing in every major movie and TV franchise out there.

Prior to his starring role in DC's latest outing as the titular Shazam, Levi also appeared as Fandral, the Viking warrior in Marvel's Thor franchise, and he says he won't be stopping there: "I won't be stopping there. I want to try and get myself in every single one of the universes," he told the audience at the con's opening panel discussion. "It's going to be like Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter. I'd love to be the guy that one day I'll die people will think: 'oh yeah – that's the guy that's in everybody's movies'."

The star further noted his disappointment to have seemingly missed his opportunity to join the Game of Thrones franchise – the final season of the fantasy drama premieres on Sunday night in the US. Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon, who was also on the panel however, was quick to remind Levi that "they're making a prequel," so Levi may yet get his chance.

Elsewhere during the opening panel, Dr Strange  and Avengers star Benedict Wong revealed that he had never seen a full script for last year's Avengers: Infinity War. Security was so tight around the hotly anticipated film that each actor was only given their own scenes when the movie was shooting. Wong, who plays Dr Strange's sidekick Wong, revealed that he didn't know the full story until he watched the film with the rest of the cast at the premiere.

Panelists including Arrow's Katie Cassidy and The Walking Dead's Ross Marquand shared a mutual admiration for Dubai's airport, while voice actress Tara Strong, who has provided voices for My Little Pony, Teen Titans, and The Powerpuff Girls, among others, revealed a newfound love of Dubai sushi joint Play.

MEFCC is taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre until Saturday evening with celebrity panels and meet and greets, comic and merchandise shopping, workshops, artists, film screenings, and all things geeky for the UAE's pop culture-loving community. Tickets and information are available from Dh115 from www.mefcc.com