Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has arrived in theaters and it's time to take a deep dive into the movie's ending...and how it closes the door on the DCEU (if, indeed, it does).
After Black Manta is defeated and both Kordax and the Lost Kingdom of Nercus are destroyed (thanks to Arthur Curry and Orm finally deciding to put their differences aside and team up), Aquaman decides it's time to reveal the Kingdom of Atlantis' existence to the surface world.
Before we get to that, though, it's worth noting that Black Manta chooses to throw himself to his death rather than accept Aquaman's help and Arthur allows the world to believe Orm is dead providing he keeps out of trouble on the surface.
In the Aquaman sequel's closing moments, an Atlantean ship emerges from the depths for the world to see and Arthur addresses the United Nations and the near-global catastrophe orchestrated by Black Manta. The superhero vows to provide humanity with advanced technology capable of reversing the damage caused and delivers an inspiring speech about working together, respecting nature, conserving the oceans, and embracing diversity.
With that, Arthur describes himself as a father, a brother, King of Atlantis and, finally...Aquaman (with a scream). It's all a bit "I am Iron Man," to be honest, with a dose of T'Challa's United Nations speech in Black Panther thrown in for good measure.
In a sole mid-credits scene, we catch up with Orm living a fairly normal life and enjoying a burger...which he places a cockroach inside of and devours with a smile on his face (paying off an earlier gag in the sequel).
When Aquaman makes that declaration to the world, humans and Atlanteans alike watch on, presumably laying the groundwork for a threequel that will now never happen. DC Studios and James Gunn currently have no plans to continue Aquaman's story so we won't ever get to see what the world made of the revelation that an aquatic society lives in its oceans.
Still, it's a relatively happy ending for the Justice League member - Mera and Arthur Jr. both survive - and there's no definitive end for the DCEU and nothing that sets up the new DCU. It's just another DC movie and one which, as of now, looks likely to struggle when it comes to making a splash at the box office.
Are you planning to watch Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on the big screen this holiday season?