Not only does the SAG-AFTRA strike mean actors can't perform but they're also not allowed to promote any past or upcoming projects. That's a way of putting pressure on studios as no interviews make it harder for them to build hype for upcoming releases.
This explains why we've been hearing rumblings about many of the Fall's biggest movies being pushed back, including Dune: Part Two and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
According to a new report from Variety, "Warner Bros. insiders tell [us] the Jason Momoa film is expected to hold its December 20 release date." After multiple delays, yet another would surely do the Aquaman sequel no favours.
However, we still haven't seen a trailer, though that's not overly surprising when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom recently went through a third round of reshoots amid negative test screenings.
Given what we've heard about those issues behind the scenes, it would be unwise for Warner Bros. to push the sequel into 2024. There needs to be as big a gap as possible between the DCEU's conclusion and Superman: Legacy kicking off the new DCU, if only to help moviegoers wash away the bad taste movies like Black Adam and The Flash has left in their mouths.
As of now, the only DC movie heading to theaters next year is Joker: Folie à Deux. As for Momoa, he's expected to be part of the new DCU, albeit as Lobo rather than the King of Atlantis.
In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, when an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation.
The movie stars Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Nicole Kidman (Atlanna), Patrick Wilson (Orm), Amber Heard (Mera), Yahya Adbdul-Mateen II (Black Manta), and Dolph Lundgren (King Nereus), along with newcomers in the form of Pilou Asbæk, Vincent Regan, and Indya Moore.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives in theaters on December 20.