Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the latest DCEU movie to find itself mired in claims of problems behind the scenes, and all signs sadly point to it being another box office bomb when the troubled franchise reaches its end this December.
In some respects, it's hard to believe the sequel appears destined for failure, especially after 2018's Aquaman made over $1.1 billion worldwide. This follow-up, however, comes our way half a decade later and at a time when moviegoers know to expect disappointment from the DCEU.
Has director James Wan also thrown in the towel?
He's had a hard time of it making Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, with studio interference and abysmal results at test screenings no doubt resulting in a torturous post-production process. However, we're still surprised to see him point out the ridiculousness of his movie getting a trailer teaser while responding to a fan on Instagram!
"Lol is this a f*cking trailer for a trailer?" one fan asked, prompting the filmmaker to respond by saying, "Haha. I know, it's hilarious."
You'd think Wan would be happy to see Warner Bros. finally promote the movie but despite sharing the footage, he clearly didn't appreciate this approach to marketing the long-delayed sequel.
In many respects, that's not surprising. For a time, trailer teasers became the norm and we'd sometimes see multiple short videos released to hype the release of a full trailer. However, it's become a dated approach to marketing and one which studios abandoned after they became more frustrating than exciting for fans. The fact Warner Bros. has gone down this route...well, it's not overly surprising.
Take a look at Wan's comments below.
Director James Wan and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa - along with Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman - return in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
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, now 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.
The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released on December 20.