The god of the seas will be riding a wave back to the big screen with the second installment of the Aquaman film releasing in just a few months. 2018’s Aquaman is still the highest-grossing DC Extended Universe movie ever, so its sequel is one of the most anticipated movies 2023, despite the shake-ups and changes happening at DC. Before this triumphant debut, Aquaman was always the butt of the joke. And Momoa’s portrayal of this superhero changed all that, gaining the love, admiration, and respect other heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman have enjoyed for decades.
Despite the poor performance of recent DC films in 2023 like Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Black Adam, and The Flash – which is now termed as the worst box office flop in Superhero film history – Aquaman 2 could be the film to turn things around for the studio. Titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, this upcoming movie is bound to bring fans back to the wonderous world of Atlantis and the secrets the seven seas hold. Excited? Here is everything you need to know about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom!
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Release Date
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
Warner Bros had scheduled to release the Aquaman sequel in December 2022, but due to Covid-19 delays, it was pushed back to March 17, 2023. This date was later changed because more post-production work hadn’t been done. But this was only one of many dates for Aquaman’s next standalone film. After the post-production visual effects team was able to work on the movie, it seemed we finally got a date to watch the movie on December 25. That was later moved up to December 20. But despite all these delays, according to Patrick Wilson, who plays Orm, reshoots and changes in the movie are still happening. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to hit theatres on December 20, 2023.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Plot
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
Although there isn’t much information about the plot of this movie, the official synopsis states that Aquaman is forced to seek help from an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis and the surface world when an ancient power is unleashed. The movie is set to pick up from where the first Aquaman left off, with Curry on the throne after overthrowing Orm as the ruler of Atlantis. This evil will likely be his first big challenge as the king of Atlantis.
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
Director James Wan said the sequel will be very different because it will be more serious and explore new worlds. From the title, this sequel will likely focus on the Lost Kingdom, which is popular in the comics. The Lost Kingdom, or the missing kingdom, is another underwater city ruled by a tyrant that appears and disappears. This lost nation is part of the seven kingdoms of the sunken ancient Atlantis but is yet to reappear. Aquaman could have gone looking for this lost city which unleashed a power that he would be unable to defeat alone-seeking the help of an unlikely ally, maybe his half brother? According to rumors, the lost kingdom was meant to be part of the Justice League 2 storyline, where Aquaman works to unite the seven kingdoms of Atlantis.
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
From the CinemaCon trailer shown to journalists, the Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom trailer shows Black Manta wielding the black trident, which could be the ancient power mentioned in the official synopsis. But where did he get it from? While Yahya Abdul’s Black Manta wasn’t as powerful in the first movie, his comic book-accurate costume and powerful black trident could mean he will be a more formidable opponent in this film. But Momoa has much more to lose than he did before. The trailer starts with Curry caring for his baby.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Cast
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
In this upcoming DC movie, Jason Momoa returns in the titular role of Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, the half-human and half-Atlantean. Fan favorite villain and Aquaman’s evil half-brother, Orm Marius, will return, played by Patrick Wilson. So expect to see more sibling dynamics in this sequel.
Despite multiple rumors that Amber Heard was done with her role as Mera in the Aquaman franchise, she is set to make a cameo in this movie. It’s not clear yet how big of a role she will play or whether DC will learn from the Flash’s performance when casting a controversial actor and scrap her scenes to avoid any bad press.
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
Willem Dafoe will return as Nuidis Vulko and Yahya Abdul as Manta, the main villain in the first Aquaman film. Other stars returning for this film include Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison, David Kane, Randall Park, and Dolph Lundgren. So expect some flashback sequences for what could be the final film of the DCU.
So far, you should expect cameos from Ben Affleck as Batman because that seems to be the best way DC can use his character before rebooting the entire universe. Vincent Regan will make his MCU debut as Atlan, Atlantis’ first king. Graham McTavish previously played this role. Other stars joining this underwater adventure include Indya Moore as Karshon, Jani Zhao as Stingray, and Pilou Asbæk in an undisclosed role.
Who is Making Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
James Wan will be directing Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is great because he directed the first film that grossed $1.15 billion at the box office. Momoa had earlier teased about writing the treatment for his character for the sequel movie, which would include him going to the UN to talk about the melting ice caps. But it seems Warner Bros didn’t like this idea of climate change being the villain, and his ideas weren’t picked up. Wan is also credited for the story of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom alongside screenwriter David Leslie Johnson.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Trailer
Credit: Aquaman (2018)
Short snippets of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdowm’s trailer have been viewed at CinemaCon, but nothing has been released yet. With a final set date of December 20th, the first teaser trailer could be coming soon. According to Deadline, the trailer showcases the troubles Momoa’s Aquaman is facing with his new-found power as the leader of Atlantis and battling with Black Manta, who wants to destroy him and everything he holds dear.
Is Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom Part of the DCEU?
Credit: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
No. Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is part of the DC universe that started in 2013 with Superman’s Man of Steel. While this is the last movie from this universe, it’s still worth watching because it’s a standalone film that wraps up Aquaman’s character. This movie will likely be the final time Momoa plays Arthur Curry, but not the last time you’ll see him as a DC character. Momoa is rumored to play the anti-hero Lobo in the upcoming Superman: Legacy or a solo film in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Extended Universe.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled to release in theaters December 20, 2023
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