The first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom definitely impressed and all eyes are now on the sequel to see if it can end the DC Extended Universe's troubled run on a positive note.
Today, we have some beautiful new variant covers from DC Comics which put a comic book spin on these live-action characters. While the big screen Aquaman's appearance differs greatly from his comic book counterpart's classic look, Momoa's version certainly looks at home on the page.
DC Studios will reboot the DCEU as the DCU when Creature Commandos and Superman: Legacy are released, but is Arthur Curry going to have a place in that world?
Rumour has it the actor will play Lobo, and during an interview with io9, director James Wan made it clear that he viewed this sequel as a project separate from any wider universes.
"I've always designed these two films to be within their own world," the filmmaker says. "And so the advantage of not being hooked into this bigger universe is ultimately whatever happens over there, it doesn’t really affect my movie. And so, as you can see in this film, it doesn’t hook it to anything. It lives in its own world."
Reiterating that this story is now standalone, Wan suggested he would like to revisit Aquaman in the DCU. "The Jason Momoa story as Aquaman definitely has more places to go. And yes, when we get to the end of this...we’re not going to giving things away because where we go at the end of this movie, it does tee up something bigger."
Check out those Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom-inspired comic book covers 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.