Say whatever you want about Aquaman 2, but James Wan knows how to make the most of what he has in hand. His latest DC project (and probably, his last), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is mired in doubt, controversy, and this blanket emotion of malaise since we finally got a trailer in September.
We have been told about the action, which was compromised by claims the long-awaited sequel is a “buddy movie.” There are the never-ending tales of woe regarding Amber Heard and Jason Momoa. And now, DC fans get a big, fat “probably” about the death knell in what was the DCEU.
Is James Waving His Wan About Aquaman 2?
(Credit: Christian Black via Warner Bros./DC Entertainment; Provided by Entertainment Weekly)
(You’re welcome. We can’t pass up a punny note. It’s a curse.)
We know the horror stories. No, not from the Conjuring universe–all the ones about the latest DC films. Shazam!: Fury of the Gods barely created a little angst. The Flash and its amateur CGI and schmaltzy script sucked. Blue Beetle was a poor depiction about how “fans” care about something not connected to the DC trinity.
However, last summer, Aquaman 2 star Jason Momoa created quite the hubbub when he announced Ben Affleck would be appearing in the film. This breathed new life into the “Fire James Gunn” and “All Hail Zack Snyder” debates with a now-deleted post on his Instagram account.
Look at that: “REUNITED Bruce and Arthur.” That’s all it took. Batfleck was going to be in Aquaman 2. Since that moment, news about the film has been like a passing score on a Britney Spears SAT test. With only a few weeks to go before late December for a premiere, James Wan sticks a fork in all that hope.
Will Ben Affleck appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
Probably not. All I’ll say is that those scenes were just to have something in bank in case we needed to explain time continuity if we came out [before The Flash].
James Wan via Empire, October 2023
So, there’s that.
The Snyderverse is Officially Buried Six Feet (DCE)-Under
(Source: The Stone Quarry/Warner Bros./DC)
(Okay, okay. That was forced. Our bad.)
Can we just appreciate Aquaman 2 for what it is, instead of what it is not? This will be an action-packed, fun-and-yuks sequel pitting King Arthur of Atlantis against a powerful and vengeful Black Manta (a role that will be rocked by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).
Henry Cavill is about to become the Highlander. Gal Gadot will be the evil queen in Snow White. And Ben Affleck is going on coffee runs for J-Lo.
Maybe instead of worrying about their whereabouts, let’s determine where Aquababy’s mama is located throughout the movie and who the heck is babysitting while the lighthouse catches fire.
It will be a sad day for DC Entertainment when the movie ends with no post-credits scene. And if there was, what would it feature? James Gunn telling fans, “See ya in 2025.” Probably not. Read this:
“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,” reads the official synopsis.
“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.“
That is the movie. No Batfleck. No DCEU. No more WB + DC failures. Well, we can still hope for the last part.
