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The cinematic universe of DC has been a roller coaster of hits and misses in recent years. As fans eagerly await the release of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," there’s an undeniable anxiety rooted in the inconsistent performance of past DCEU movies.
With some underwhelming both critically and at the box office, and with the recent soft launch of DCU through "Blue Beetle," Aquaman's sequel is under the microscope as potentially the last "official" DCEU movie. However, James Wan, the directorial mastermind behind the film, wants to set the record straight.
In a candid conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Wan made it abundantly clear that he isn't chasing the coattails of previous DCEU titles. Addressing the swirling rumors about potential Batman cameos, be it Ben Affleck from "Justice League" or Michael Keaton from "The Flash," Wan stated, “At the end of the day, the best thing I would say about this movie is that it is not connected in any way to any of those films.
That's the bottom line”.
Wan's Aquaman: Fresh Tale, Old Foes
While Wan's statement confirms that "Aquaman 2" exists within the DCEU, it emphasizes a narrative that isn’t tethered to past storylines from "The Flash" or "Justice League." Instead, it promises a more direct sequel to its predecessor, where foes-turned-allies, Arthur and Orm, join forces.
And for those still speculating on a Batman appearance? Wan playfully teases, "You're going to have to wait for the movie to come out”. Aquaman's position in the broader DC universe is intriguing, especially with whispers of Jason Momoa potentially taking on a Lobo role when James Gunn was introduced to the mix.
However, Gunn quashed these rumors, asserting that no actor would have dual roles and DCEU mainstays wouldn't necessarily be replaced in the DCU. Despite the uncertainties surrounding other DCEU stalwarts like Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman and Ezra Miller's Flash, one thing's for sure - Momoa's Aquaman isn't going anywhere.
His original outing as the underwater king resulted in a billion-dollar blockbuster, setting high expectations for the sequel. James Wan's primary aim? Delivering a stellar follow-up that stays true to the heart of the characters and the story he introduced in the original "Aquaman." As the release date draws closer, fans and critics alike are eager to dive back into the mesmerizing underwater realm Wan has crafted.
Only time will tell if "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" will rise above the turbulent tides of its predecessors or be engulfed by them.
