The first Aquaman made over a $1 billion worldwide, but when it comes to the overall quality of the movie... let's just say it wasn't everyone's cup of tea!
For better or worse, James Wan's film fully embraced its comic book routes, with larger-than-life performances, exaggerated characterizations, cheesy dialogue, and some inventive, unforgettable imagery - including one infamous (or iconic, depending on who you ask) shot of an octopus playing the bongos.
During an interview with EW, Wan confirmed that Topo - who was actually introduced in the comics along with Arthur Curry's seahorse steed Storm (both can be glimpsed in the teaser) - will return for The Lost Kingdom, and he's going to have "a stronger presence in this film. He's an actual character in this one."
As for the recent rumors that the studio is already developing a third movie, Wan does confirm that The Lost Kingdom sets-up future stories.
"What I like between this one and the first one is, you really do see the growth of Arthur. He starts off as this kind of wanderer, and in the second one he finally has more of a direction of what he wants to do with his life. If and when there is a third one, that's what it should be; it should be growing these characters because I think we've set up certain things in a good place in the second movie that you can definitely draw upon in a third. I don't have any stories, but growing the characters is the biggest thing that I think the next Aquaman movie should be about."
With so many things up in the air when it comes to the direction of the new DCU, it's hard to say if a threequel will ever happen - even if this movie does prove to be as successful as its predecessor.
If a third movie was on the cards, would Wan have any interest in returning to helm? "I don't know. This film has taken up so, so much of my life, so much of my time, all I can think about now is taking a long break."
The first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be online tomorrow.
"Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin."