The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is an eclectic collection of films based on fabled DC superheroes, anti-heroes, and supervillains. Birthed in 2013, the DCEU comprises ten feature films. Despite being created five years after the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Warner Brothers and the DCEU beat Marvel Studios to the punch on a couple of occasions.Wonder Womanwas the first female-led solo superhero movie by either studio, for example.
Additionally, the superhero-fighting-superhero trend started withBatman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which came out two months beforeCaptain America: Civil War. The two films share themes and similar financial success, thoughCaptain America: Civil Waris a much more critically acclaimed film. However, the highest grossing DCEU film might surprise some folks. It does not feature the Dark Knight, the Man of Steel, or the Princess of Themyscira. The film that holds this distinction is 2018’sAquaman.
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Aquamanis an interesting filmfrom several angles. It was the first movie of its kind to use under-water filming technology to make Atlantis feel like a real, tangible place. It also catapulted Jason Momoa out of the Game of Thrones shadows and into the spotlight once again. Additionally, it happens to be the highest-grossing DCEU film, grossing more than $1.1 billion. After the financial success of the first film, there are hefty expectations for Director James Wan and crew to deliver an impressive on-screen sequel. The film does not release until December of 2022, but what can DCEU fans expect fromAquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
A Star-Studded Cast Returns
Jason Momoa headlines anextremely star-studded castinAquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Love interest and fellow Atlantean Mera will be reprised by Amber Heard, while Nicole Kidman will once again portray Atlanna, Aquaman’s mother. Further bolstering the film’s heavy roster is the legendary Willem Dafoe as Vulko and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the sinister Black Manta.
A talented and veteran cast can do a lot for a film franchise. They are a huge part of whyAquamanwas so financially successful to begin with. These impressive actors make Atlantis and the rest of Aquaman’s world feel fully realized and relatable, even if they are metahumans.
DC Fandome Promised a Bigger Story
DC Fandome was held this past fall. It was avirtual event that showcased exciting DC projectsthat will be taking place over the next year. It featured teasers forBlack Adam, a full-length trailer forThe Batman, a teaser forAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, plus much more.
In theAquaman and the Lost Kingdomclip shown at DC Fandome, Jason Momoa promised audiences “a bigger story” for the second Aquaman film.Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomlooks to be a story that spans the globe, both above and below the surface of the oceans. Given the fact that the movie is titledAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, fans can expect much deep-sea exploration in the film itself.
Director James Wan has stated thatAquaman and the Lost Kingdomis greatly influenced by the Spanish-Italian horror filmPlanet of the Vampiresfrom 1965. This suggests the film could feature some horror elements, not unlike some sequences in the firstAquamanproject.
Exploring Black Manta’s Thirst for Vengeance
Black Manta is one of the most bloodthirsty supervillains in DC Comics lore. His father was killed during a conflict with Aquaman, and Black Manta considers the death a murder. Black Manta has sworn vengeance for his father’s death, and has made it his life’s purpose to kill Aquaman.
It would be wise forAquaman and the Lost Kingdomto delve deeper into Black Manta’s psychology and trauma. After all,Aquaman’s main supervillain was not Black Manta, but Ocean Master. Though Black Manta played a part in the film, it was somewhat peripheral. When you have an actor as talented asYahya Abdul-Mateen II cast as Aquaman’s primary foe, it would be wise not to waste him or the character’s rich story.
Further Exploration of the Seven Kingdoms
In DC Comics lore, Atlantis is one of seven oceanic kingdoms. Other noteworthy kingdoms are Xebel, a militaristic kingdom that rivals the might of Atlantis, The Kingdom of the Deserters, which ceased to function when the Sahara Desert formed over it, and The Trench, which is in the famous Mariana Trench and is home to some of the most vicious creatures beneath the seas.
Given thatAquaman and the Lost Kingdomis influenced by a 1960s horror film, it begs the question ofwhether or not the ‘lost kingdom’ is The Trench. Trench-like creatures attacked Aquaman and Mera in the second act ofAquaman, but the film did not go deep into what the creatures were or what their motives might be. When superstar writer Geoff Johns wrote a graphic novel about The Trench, it propelledAquamanto new heights in DC Comics. James Wan would be wise to follow suit on the silver screen.
As is the case with most origin stories,Aquamandid not dive deep into Atlantean lore, it merely summarized Atlantis’s history and current state of affairs.Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomshould explore the nooks and crannies of Atlantis to give viewers a richer understanding of the fabled underwater kingdom.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomis set to release in theaters on December 16th, 2022.
