When Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Black Manta) released photos of himself on his social media with Aquaman director James Wan and the film's other cast and crew meeting with Indigenous Elders in Australia, actor Michael Beach was spotted with them. Naturally, it made sense that Beach had possibly joined the cast of the film as Black Manta's father, but there was no mention of him in the press release.
Well, according to Deadline, Warner Bros. has recently confirmed Beach's casting in James Wan's Aquaman, and he will be taking on the role of Jesse Kane. Kane is said to be "part of a group of high-seas hijackers who has a fateful interaction with Aquaman."
This confirmation doesn't exactly rule out the possibility of Beach's Kane being Black Manta's father. Based on the New 52 storyline, Aquaman murders Black Manta's father in a fit of rage after Manta attacked Arthur and his father, leading to Thomas' death. This could potentially be the "fateful interaction" the character description is referring to.
In another piece of news, a new behind-the-scenes video has made its way online, and it showcases Dolph Lundgren preparing for his underwater sequences as King Nereus. Take a look!