Aquaman was just too good to not get a sequel. Jason Momoa, 44, starred as Arthur Curry/Aquaman in 2018 DC Extended Universe movie, which has snagged a sequel coming out in December 2023. The trailer for Aquaman 2, officially titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, was released September 14, and it teases the DC hero taking on two important jobs: king of Atlantis and a father.
Aquaman 2 will continue the story of Momoa’s Aquaman, the leader of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis who first appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). Aquaman was released on December 21, 2018, and received praise from fans and critics alike and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Ideas of an Aquaman sequel came while the first movie was shooting. Jason made it clear he was onboard with playing the underwater superhero again. In February 2019, Warner Bros. kicked off plans to write the sequel’s script, and over a year later, James Wan officially signed on as director once again. Soon after, Jason and more returning cast members officially joined the movie, while other newcomers were cast. The highly-anticipated movie is just months away from coming out after facing multiple release delays.
Jason Momoa in ‘Aquaman’ (Photo: Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection)
‘Aquaman 2’ Release Date & Filming
Aquaman 2 will swim into theaters on December 20, 2023. Warner Bros. initially gave the film a December 16, 2022 release date. The COVID-19 pandemic altered those plans and the movie was pushed multiple times. After the film’s release was set for December 25, 2023, Warner Bros. pushed it up five days early, to its current release date.
Production on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom began in June 2021. Filming took place in London and officially wrapped in December 2021. Jason posted an Instagram video the day before filming began and said, “I am finally in England. It is sunny out, it’s amazing. I’m gonna start Aquaman 2 tomorrow.” He also noted that his hair would be changed from brown to blonde for the role.
‘Aquaman 2’ Cast & Crew
Amber Heard as Mera in ‘Aquaman (Photo: Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection)
As mentioned before, Jason will be back as Arthur Curry/Aquaman for the sequel film. Amber Heard, 37, will also be back as Mera, Aquaman’s love-interest. There were rumors Amber wouldn’t be cast in the film due to her domestic abuse allegations against ex-husband Johnny Depp. A petition was even launched to remove Amber from Aquaman 2. However, Amber officially confirmed in November 2020 she’d be playing Mera again once the movie starts filming.
In July 2022, Jason confirmed Ben Affleck will reunite with him as Batman after the stars were “busted” by a group of tourists visiting the Warner Bros. Studio lot. “REUNITED bruce and arthur. love u and miss u Ben,” Jason wrote on Instagram. “WB studio tours just explored the backlot alright. busted on set all great things coming AQUAMAN 2 all my aloha j.” In a video he shared alongside photos of him and Ben goofing around, Jason showed the tourists who caught them and said, “That’s what happens, Warner Brothers, when you walk out of your set and there’s our fans [back stage].” He then told the excited fans to have a great rest of their tour.
Other returning cast members include Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius, Aquaman’s half-brother, Dolph Lundgreen as King Nereus, Mera’s father, Yahya Abdul-Manteen II as David Kane/Black Manta, a pirate/mercenary and foe of Aquaman’s, f Nicole Kidman as Atlanta, Aquaman’s mother, Tamuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, Aquaman’s father, and Randall Park as Doctor Stephen Shin, a marine biologist searching for Atlantis.
Nicole Kidman in ‘Aquaman’ (Photo: Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection)
Some new characters will be introduced in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Vincent Regan will play Atlan, the first king of Atlantis. Jani Zhao joins the film as Stingray, while Indya Moore will play Karshon. Game of Thrones alum Pilou Asbæk has also been cast in an undisclosed role. James Wan directed the film, while the screenplay was by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick.
‘Aquaman 2’ Plot
In true DCEU nature, not much is known about Aquaman 2. At the 2020 DC FanDome panel, James Wan said that Aquaman 2 is “a little bit more serious” than the first movie and “a little bit more relevant to the world we’re living in today.” A year later, at the 2021 DC FanDome panel, Warner Bros. released some concept art and behind-the-scenes footage from the film. James Wan said at the event, “Black Manta is still seeking his vengeance to try and kill Aquaman. That’s going to be very exciting for the audience. It’s a globetrotting story. We visit so many different worlds. This movie isn’t afraid to embrace its fantasy.” Jason spoke at the event as well and said he has “so much invested” in the sequel. “I love this character. I love what it represents,” he said.
James teased more about the film to The Hollywood Reporter in April 2023. “I think people are going to be excited to see that this movie is quite different from the first movie in terms of tone,” the director said. “It’s a little bit more serious, and we’re dealing with issues like climate change. We’re not afraid to lean into that in a big way, because the Aquaman comic book, even way back when, has always been environmentally conscious. He’s always been someone who’s fought to keep the ocean clean, and it feels more relevant in the world that we’re living in today. So this movie has something to talk about, but it’s still a fun action-fantasy movie.”
‘Aquaman 2’ Spinoff
Jason Momoa & Amber Heard in ‘Aquaman’ (Photo: Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection)
There were plans to expand the Aquaman world with a spinoff called The Trench. The project was in development in early 2019 and was supposed to focus on the amphibious monsters that Arthur and Mera fought in the first movie, according to Collider. But in April 2021, Warner Bros. opted not to move further with The Trench, though the company did say that the spinoff project could “move forward in the future.”
Sourse: hollywoodlife.com
