James Wan’s Aquaman triumphantly stands as the sole DCEU movie to surpass the billion-dollar revenue mark worldwide. This unique cinematic masterpiece captures the hearts of viewers through its vibrant undersea world brimming with Atlanteans riding sharks and seahorses, ominous deep-sea monsters, and intriguing crab people! Shazam! brings forth a similar fun vibe, but the visual spectacle of Aquaman sets a new standard, with a deluge of awe-inspiring special effects ornamenting virtually every frame.
Our protagonist, Arthur Curry, portrayed by Jason Momoa, paints a picture of ’80s action flick nostalgia that resonates throughout the film. Aquaman pays tribute to the quintessential elements of 1980s action films, exhibiting a muscular hero, catchy one-liners, and action-packed scenes. The narrative unfolds post-Justice League, featuring Arthur grappling with his obligations towards Atlantis and the terrestrial people of Earth. Acting as a protector of the ocean, Arthur finds himself reluctantly immersed in Atlantean royal affairs following a ploy by his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) to instigate a confrontation with the surface.
Taking cues from DC’s 2015 animated feature, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, Aquaman revitalizes the story with a distinctive flair. DC’s strategy of prioritizing quality over rapid production following mixed reviews and reception of their previous hurried attempts to gather their superhero roster on screen seems to be paying off. Wan has been hinting at his imaginative concept for the anticipated Aquaman sequel, titled Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for everything one needs to know about Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom.
Editor’s Note: The information in this article was updated on July 21, 2023.
When will Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom Hit Theatres?
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is set to debut on December 20, 2023. The film is amidst a fierce competition with several other movies slated for the holiday season, including Sony’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel, releasing on the same day. Potential delays owing to ongoing WGA and SAG strikes could shift the film’s premiere. Initially planned for December 16, 2022, the movie’s release has been rescheduled to March 17, 2023, then to December 25, 2023, before finally settling on its current release date.
When Can We Expect Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom on Streaming Platforms?
The streaming date for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom remains uncertain. However, it’s known that Warner Bros’ streaming service Max will eventually add the film to their catalog, alongside recent DC releases such as The Batman and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Is There a Trailer Available for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom?
As of now, there is no official trailer for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom. Warner Bros did tease the audience with a sizzle reel in February 2022, offering a much-anticipated initial glimpse of the film.
Who are the Stars of Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom?
Jason Momoa reprises his role as Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, the King of Atlantis. On his Instagram, Momoa shared he’d be highlighting his hair before the shooting commenced in London. He recently revealed a first look at a new costume for the sequel. This updated attire features a darker, sleeker stealth suit, which Wan describes as “Atlantian tech based on cephalopods’ camouflaging ability.” The suit, with a more muted color scheme, is less ornate, and lacks gauntlets and fins on the boots. Momoa disclosed on The Drew Barrymore Show in May 2021 that he contributed to the film’s script, alongside Wan and writer David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, feeling “100% encouraged” by his team.
Amber Heard reclaims her role as Mera, the water-manipulating Atlantean, despite the high-profile courtroom drama. She has shared glimpses of her rigorous training for the superhero film.
Returning to the cast is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Aquaman’s human adversary, Black Manta. He expressed his enthusiasm for the sequel in an interview with THR, “In Aquaman, we just got a small introduction to Black Manta and some of his motivations. In this one, I get to exercise and breathe a little bit more.”
Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm, sharing a picture on social media that showed his intense preparation for the role. A first look at Orm — who appears more like a muscular castaway than an Ocean Master — was shared by James Wan.
The ensemble cast also includes Willem Dafoe as Nuidis, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin. New members of the cast include Vincent Regan (300) as Atlan, Jani Zhao as Stingray, Indya Moore (Pose) as Karshon, and Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones) in a yet undisclosed role.
What Can We Expect from the Plot of Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom?
At the DC FanDome panel in August 2020, Wan hinted at a more serious and relevant tone for the sequel, resonating with the current world scenario. Although this sparked apprehensions among fans who loved the original for its light-hearted nature, Wan’s commitment to fine-tuning the script and storyline should reassure fans of the sequel’s quality.
The plot takes inspiration from the 1965 Italian horror film Planet of the Vampires, where a spaceship crew battles each other as their minds and bodies are possessed by alien beings. This darker path for the sequel could be seen as an extension of Wan’s previous work in the horror genre, evidenced in his recent Giallo-inspired slasher, Malignant.
Hints about the sequel have also pointed towards the Lost Kingdom of Atlantis known as Necrus. In comic lore, Necrus is a transient city that sporadically appears and disappears, thanks to advanced technology. Wan acknowledged the challenges of making the sequel, as the film will be the final installment in this version of the DCEU, saying:
“I’ve had to make adjustments all along the way. The DCU has been through lots of different versions, and one of the things that was challenging about this film was keeping track of what’s going on… We’re going to many different underwater kingdoms that are not necessarily related to what’s happening with the other movies and characters… So I can just tell my story on its own without being affected too much.”
Filming for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom began in June 2021, with Momoa landing in London in July 2021. Production wrapped up in January 2022 after undergoing three reshoots to accommodate the evolving DC Universe.
