Zachary Levi Takes on New ‘Superhero’ Role: Being a Dad

In his new film “The Unbreakable Boy,” the ‘Shazam!’ actor highlights the obstacles and rewards of parenting a special needs child.

Zachary Levi (L) as Scott and Jacob Laval as Austin in "The Unbreakable Boy." Courtesy of Lionsgate

Actor Zachary Levi is best known for playing a comic book superhero, Shazam.

But in his latest movie, he’s playing a real superhero: a parent.

Levi stars in “The Unbreakable Boy,” a true story about Austin LeRette, a young boy who has both autism and osteogenesis imperfecta—better known as “brittle bone disease.” While the film shows the pure innocent spirit of the boy, it also focuses on the challenges that parents face dealing with special needs children. Patience is more than a virtue; it’s a necessity.

The role is a bit different from the good guys that Levi usually plays, such as Shazam and quarterback Kurt Warner, who, in “American Underdog” and in reality, went from supermarket stockboy to the NFL Hall of Fame. Turns out that portraying the flawed character of Austin’s father, Scott LeRette, was appealing.

“It was one of the things I liked most about this script and this project,“ he told The Epoch Times. ”I have played many characters in the past that tend to be in the more uplifting and positive category.”

Levi’s current role allows him to play someone who has serious problems while also being a caring parent.

He said, “This film also captures that, but simultaneously, it shows a deeper reality of what it means to struggle with addiction in the midst of trying to guide your children on their own path.”

(L-R) Meghann Fahy as Teresa, Gavin Warren as Logan, Patricia Heaton as Marcia, Jacob Laval as Austin, Zachary Levi as Scott, and Todd Terry as Dick in "The Unbreakable Boy." Courtesy of Lionsgate

The film shows the journey of Austin’s parents along with the medical obstacles and emotions of dealing with a special needs child. But beneath the challenges, we see the love that is always the connective thread between father and son.

“Love is the most important message that we can be telling anyone at any given time,“ Levi said. ”This film is chock full of it—loving your children, embracing them for who they are and where they are in their life.”

He pointed to Austin’s character as an embodiment of that love.

“No matter what comes his way, whether it’s having brittle bones or autism, his spirit remains undefeated and unbreakable, and that remains the core of the message of the film,” Levi said.

Jacob Laval as Austin in "The Unbreakable Boy." Courtesy of Lionsgate

Austin is shown to be a happy child who rolls with the punches despite the obstacles. The pure innocence that he shows can’t help but brighten the day.

The movie’s release turned out to be a matter of good timing for Levi, who is going to be a father for the first time.

“I’m about to step into that role myself, having my first child in just a few months,“ he said. ”I’ve always dreamed of being a father.”

Levi said he’s looking forward to the lifelong experience.

“The journey and adventure that a person goes on in bringing life into this world and being a custodian of that life is a challenge unlike any other,” he said.

As for fictional characters versus real ones, Levi said the people to be idolized are in the home.

“Parents have been the real superheroes for a long, long time,“ he said. ”Giving parents their due credit and recognizing the work and the effort and the love that go into that journey is important. This film captures that.”

The Unbreakable Boy opens in theaters on Feb. 21. 

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Courtesy of Lionsgate