In the recent buzz surrounding the anticipated blockbuster, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” discussions have been oscillating between queries concerning Amber Heard’s screen time to the supposed extensive script revisions. Some reports have even hinted at the involvement of multiple “Batmen” in what is possibly Jason Momoa’s final portrayal of the famed aquatic hero. According to an exposé by The Hollywood Reporter, the film has experienced a tremendous transformation. Moreover, the extent of reshoots could potentially prove disruptive to the film’s continuity.
The report unveiled that the projected cameo of Ben Affleck, in what could have been his swan song as Bruce Wayne/Batman, was completely eradicated, a decision spearheaded by James Gunn and Peter Safran. An anonymous source has labeled the entire “Aquaman” shoot as “chaotic” and disclosed that Gunn and Safran aimed to eradicate every sign of Affleck to “thwart hints for future movies that will not come to fruition.” Their goal was also to put some distance between themselves and the disappointing final year of the DCEU.
While these changes seem logical, especially when one recalls the uproar caused by the conclusion of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, they could unintentionally set the movie up for a downfall this coming December. Sony’s “Morbius” marketing campaign, which teased significant Spider-man connections, serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of such maneuvers. Despite initial success, the film’s fortune took a dive once audiences realized that the Spider-Man references in the trailers were absent in the actual movie. The negative criticism that followed was intense.
Facing a similar predicament, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is perceived by some as the last “outdated” DC movie, seen as irrelevant since the DC Universe will undergo a virtual overhaul in 2025 with the introduction of “Superman Legacy.” The deletion of Affleck’s cameo might not appear to be of much consequence, but retaining it would not have inflicted any harm.
Aquaman 2 As a Standalone Entity
Interestingly, even when it was to be a part of the ongoing DCEU, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” was always envisaged as a standalone entity. The DC franchise has demonstrated a comic book-like detached character since the advent of “Justice League”. Contrasting with Marvel’s efforts to construct the grandest narrative in cinematic history – a feat unlikely to be surpassed – the DC films have maintained a loose connection, brought together merely by recurring characters. The sequel to Aquaman will likely follow the same pattern. Director James Wan previously shared:
“Well, Aquaman – even the first film – has always been a very standalone film. That was always our approach: that it kind of lives in its own world, and that’s kind of how we’ve approached The Lost Kingdom as well.”
Regardless of the possible outcomes, all arrangements are in order to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new DC Universe. With the previous insinuations that the script for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” underwent changes to facilitate this transition, it remains to be seen how many audiences will show interest come December.
