Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons for upwards of a year now. We've had reports of negative test screenings, major issues behind the scenes, and even supposed clashes between the sequel's lead stars.
With that much negativity, it's hard to believe even positive reviews will be enough to ensure the movie can make the necessary splash at the box office. The DCEU is nearly over, of course, so it might not matter; however, it would be a shame to see a good movie sunk by all that off-screen drama.
Talking to Empire Magazine, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan weighed in on the constant chatter surrounding his DC Comics adaptation.
"I've been on this movie for four years now, and I'm so happy for it to come out," he says. "In many ways, I think it's even more fun than the first one. But it's been a long, exhausting process. It is definitely the noisiest movie I've ever worked on."
"That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from this experience. To filter out the negativity and focus on the film," the filmmaker continued. "Because that’s what will live on - in 20 years, no one will remember the noise. Only the movie."
Whatever happens, Wan is likely done with DC after the Aquaman follow-up arrives in theatres (we're guessing this experience isn't one he'll want to repeat). As for lead star Jason Momoa, he's expected to play Lobo in DC Studios' DCU.
What that means for the King of Atlantis is hard to say, but if Peacemaker is any indication, James Gunn isn't exactly a huge fan of Arthur Curry!
Director James Wan and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa - along with Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman - return in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
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.
The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa'a Sibbett.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released on December 22.