James Wan's Aquaman was released in 2018 to mostly positive reviews (for the DCEU, at least) and a massive $1.1 billion at the worldwide box office.
For many fans, the colourful, Marvel-inspired approach to Arthur Curry was a disappointment, particularly after what we'd seen from the hero in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. Ultimately, it was a hit, and this December will see the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Way back in 2014, leaked emails from the infamous "Sony Hack" included the news that Warner Bros. had been in talks with Mud and Take Shelter director Jeff Nichols to take the helm of Aquaman.
Those conversations never progressed beyond talks, but The Bikeriders helmer revealed new details about his pitch while speaking with Happy Sad Confused.
"I still have scenes from ['Aquaman'] in my head that would’ve been good," Nichols says. "They would’ve been quite different from the film that was made. It wasn’t ever feasible...I liked the older Aquaman, like when he had a harpoon for a hand."
"He was a fallen king and his son had died. He was in mourning. Obviously, from this brief pitch, you can see it would’ve sold hundreds of dollars worth of tickets."
"That stuff is fun to noodle on, but we got a lot of those movies now," the filmmaker added. "There are a lot of stories in the world. It’s ok to spend time time telling some other ones."
Back in 2016, Nichols talked about how a lack of creative freedom on such a big franchise ultimately made him a poor fit for Aquaman. "With the DC universe, so many parts of it had been activated and so many decisions had already been made that it felt more and more - and Warner Bros. agreed - that it was me trying to jump on a moving train. That’s not so much what I’m good at. I’m more of a ground up kinda guy."
Unfortunately, we don't anticipate Nichols ever directing a superhero movie based on these remarks but we're sure many of you will agree his take on Aquaman sounds badass...
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.