Despite seeming to be on pause, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is anything but stagnant, undergoing major transformative changes according to recent reports. As fans anxiously wait for the second installment of the DC’s underwater superhero saga, it’s clear that the sequel will veer significantly from the original. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has just hinted at the latest plot twist – Batman’s cameo has been completely expunged from the film.
The Hollywood Reporter shares insider information about the dynamic shifts taking place in Aquaman 2, which recently wrapped up its third phase of reshoots. The changes aim to mirror the constantly evolving state of the DC Universe. Interestingly, Batman’s role was initially expected to feature both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton, who had already filmed scenes for the movie. Walter Hamada, former DC Films chief, intended for Keaton’s Batman to emulate a Nick Fury-esque role, weaving between films and providing guidance to other superheroes. This vision, however, took a back seat when Warner Bros. Discovery decided to postpone Batgirl.
Post the lukewarm global box office response to The Flash, despite featuring multiple Batman appearances, the DC Universe has taken a step back. The directive now is to present Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom completely devoid of Batman. The reasoning behind this, according to inside sources, is the vision of new DC heads James Gunn and Peter Safran to refrain from depicting a shared universe before it is fully developed – an error that the DC Extended Universe has previously been guilty of. Insiders also indicate that there is a push to present Aquaman 2 as more independent, severing its ties with the DCEU.
Navigating the Currents: What’s Happening With Aquaman 2?
The main impetus for these alterations in Aquaman 2 can be boiled down to one thing: revenue. Aquaman’s first solo venture still reigns supreme as the highest-grossing DC film, pulling in over $1 billion at the global box office. This impressive figure hints at the character’s unexpected popularity, prompting Warner Bros. to strive for a similar success with the sequel. A mediocre performance from Aquaman 2, akin to The Flash, would be considered a self-inflicted wound for the studio. Given Aquaman’s proven track record as a box office magnet, a subpar sequel could potentially submerge the franchise.
In addition, there are numerous test screenings lined up – a standard procedure for big-budget films – to gauge audience reaction to the movie. Amidst this upheaval, it appears that Warner Bros. remains hopeful that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will make a splash. Otherwise, the studio wouldn’t invest millions of dollars in reshoots and would simply shelve the movie or release it without major modifications.
Presently, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is slated for a December 20 release, following multiple postponements. Whether the recent changes will once again impact the movie’s release date remains to be seen.
