Aquaman riding a seahorse through the air — that’s what we’re here for. At this point, I’m not sure which kingdom is lost. Who knows if Jason Momoa will continue to play Aquaman in the new DC Studios world? Really, it doesn’t matter, because director James Wan will have given us two Aquaman movies that attempt to stuff just about every major piece of the comics lore into them and it’s kind of glorious. At times, it’s also kind of silly. No argument here. But that’s what makes Aquaman so oddly compelling — it’s fantasy, it’s science fiction, it’s superheroes. In the last few decades, the characters have become ecowarriors, and rightly so.
It looks like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom pulls from a classic Paul Levitz and Jim Aparo run, a tiny bit of Superfriends, and the pieces added in by Peter David and Geoff Johns. (I hope he gets to keep his hand.) On top of that, there’s the brilliant reversal of Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Momoa) and Orm/Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson). Both actors look the way the other character is portrayed in the comics. Of course the icy Ocean Master gives off a slight Master Race vibe. And of course Aquaman looks like the people most at home in the sea. Thanks, Zack.
Yes, it looks a bit unreal. It should. Wan and his FX team are giving us another world — even if it’s supposed to be just on the edge of this one. I’ll be honest — I’d love to see Atomic Monster tackle John Carter of Mars. But that’s for another time…
From Warner Bros. Pictures:
Director James Wan and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa—along with Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman—return in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
screenshot from trailer courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Directed by Wan, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is produced by Peter Safran, Wan and Rob Cowan. The executive producers are Galen Vaisman and Walter Hamada.
The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.
Joining Wan behind-the-camera is his sterling team of “Aquaman” artisans: director of photography Don Burgess (“The Conjuring 2”), production designer Bill Brzeski (“Jumanji: The Next Level”), editor Kirk Morri (“Furious 7”), composer Rupert Gregson-Williams (“Wonder Woman”) and music supervisor is Michelle Silverman (“Malignant”). Visual effects supervisor Nick Davis (“The Clash of the Titans” films, “The Dark Knight”) and costume designer Richard Sale (“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” “Ready Player One”) also join.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents An Atomic Monster / A Peter Safran Production of A James Wan Film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” set to open in theaters internationally beginning 20 December 2023 and in North America on December 20, 2023; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
A couple of notes: sure, I get that Randall Park’s character wouldn’t play a major role, so not catching him in the trailer the 4 or 5 times I’ve watched so far makes sense. But there’s only a glimpse at best of Amber Heard’s Mera; take that as you will. Especially as Momoa’s narration sure implies she’d be important. We see a LOT more of Nicole Kidman’s Alanna.
As an aside, Aquaman’s line about saving the world for our children — if that makes it into the final cut, I know exactly when I’m going to start blubbering. (Not whale blubbering.)
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In addition to running Fanboy Planet, Derek has contributed stories to Arcana Comics (The Greatest American Hero) and Monsterverse Comics (Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave). He has performed with ComedySportz, City Lights Theater Company and Silicon Valley Shakespeare, though relocated to Hollywood to... work in an office? If you ever played Eric's Ultimate Solitaire on the Macintosh, it was Derek's voice as The Weasel that urged you to play longer. You can buy his book "I Was Flesh Gordon" on the Amazon link at the right. Email him at [email protected].
