We know that this month's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be the final movie in the current "DCEU" era before the franchise is rebooted, but director James Wan has previously indicated that he would be interested in potentially helming a threequel if the opportunity presented itself.
So, has the filmmaker had any conversations with Gunn about possibly staying on in the DCU?
"No, not really. I mean, not really in a deeper sense," Wan told Screen Rant. "I know they're in the middle of all that, so I'm sure it's not something that you just whip up in one or two afternoons. I'm sure it's a growing process and it depends on the different characters. I imagine that's a pretty heavy task that they're dealing with right now. I am just happy and feel like I was able to make my movie, work on my film that takes place within its own world, and not be affected by whatever other people are doing."
The first Aquaman made over $1 billion worldwide, but if box office estimates for the sequel prove accurate, it won't come close. Even if The Lost Kingdom managed to exceed expectations, star Jason Momoa appears to be done with the role of Arthur Curry, and is believed to be in talks to play Lobo in the DCU.
In a separate interview with Collider, Wan confirmed that the sequel will be even "goofier" than the first movie (if you can believe it).
"One of the things we did on the first one that I wasn't quite necessarily sure [about] was just how much we were willing to lean into the more absurd aspect of the Aquaman comic and the world and the characters and all that. And clearly we did that, and for a lot of people that was kind of what ultimately made it fun, right? That here was a superhero fantasy character that wasn't afraid to be what it is, and to embrace and lean into all of that. So that was something that I wanted to continue with this one, and so we continued down that path. For example, Topo the drumming octopus, I wasn't quite sure how people were gonna react to him in the first one, but I put him in there. But people really loved him and it became very apparent. He's a big character in the comic book and so we brought him to the foreground in a bigger way in this one. So it was great to learn from the first movie that I can embrace a little bit more of the goofy aspect of the comic book."
"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, no, after w 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."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to swim into theaters on December 20.