Warner Bros. Discovery has released the first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom but does the movie look as bad as recent reports would lead you to believe? While we know better than to be fooled by cleverly constructed teasers, this has honestly left us feeling pretty excited!
The special effects have received a much-needed polish since the trailer teaser and Arthur Curry's team-up with Ocean Master promises to be front and centre in a sequel which is going to pit them against an all-powerful Black Manta.
Along the way, we meet the King of Atlantis' son, catch a glimpse of some visually dazzling battle sequences, and see more of the incredibly fun dynamic between Arthur and Orm. Amber Heard's Mera, meanwhile, is only featured in a single shot despite being a lead character in 2018's Aquaman.
As for stakes, it appears a global catastrophe will ensue if Manta isn't stopped, allowing the sequel to touch on some timely real-life issues with our world's oceans.
The DC Extended Universe will reach its end when this movie splashes down in theaters this December, but if Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is as good as it looks...well, at least the franchise can sail off into the sunset with a win before being rebooted as the DCU.
Check out the new Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer below.
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 20.