Did you know that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives in theaters a couple of days from now? If you'd forgotten, there's a good chance you're not alone because Warner Bros. Discovery hasn't put a great deal of effort into building excitement for the final DC Extended Universe movie.
The review embargo won't lift until December 21, the same day this Aquaman sequel arrives in many countries (and mere hours before Thursday preview screenings begin in North America). That suggests the studio is bracing itself for bad reviews.
Regardless, with DC Studios' DCU reboot now looming, it seems WBD CEO David Zaslav didn't even want to spend money on a splashy premiere for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Yesterday evening, a "fan screening" took place which featured only appearances from lead star Jason Momoa and director James Wan. There was no premiere, no afterparty, and nothing that will help build hype for a movie that's likely to have a lower opening than this past August's Blue Beetle.
The DCEU is ending on a whimper rather than a bang but will a year off in 2024 be enough to renew interest in this franchise when Superman: Legacy arrives in 2025? We'll have to wait and see.
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; and ; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis. 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 splashes down into theaters on December 22.