During a 2021 interview, Aquaman director James Wan mentioned that his planned sequel would take inspiration from a surprising source: a 1965 Italian-Spanish science fiction horror film called Planet of the Vampires.
Now, while chatting to Empire about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Wan elaborated on his previous comments, confirming that the movie will have an "old-school Euro-horror" vibe.
“There was an element of horror in the first film, but this second movie definitely has more of that. That became the design foundation,” he explains, once again citing Planet Of The Vampires. “The Lost Kingdom has a very retro, ‘60s horror look. We have this huge action set-piece where Arthur and Orm fight [Black Manta’s] henchmen, using the ‘Octobot’ – this mechanical squid thing,” promises Wan. “That was really fun to shoot.”
As for Black Manta, he'll have a powerful equalizer in his arsenal when Aquaman and Ocean Master confront him. “In his quest to find ways to destroy Arthur, Black Manta… stumbles onto something,” teases Wan.
We assume he's referring to the Black Trident, which you can see the villain wield in the new still and TV spot below.
"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, no, after w 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; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to swim into theaters on December 20.