Very little was known about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom even before it went through multiple rounds of reshoots, and given how much the story has since changed, we're guessing anything we've previously heard should be taken with a pinch of salt.
However, some leaked action figures for the upcoming sequel confirm the identity of that mysterious villain in the movie's new trailer.
While Black Manta will serve as the Aquaman follow-up's big bad, that shadowy figure doing battle with Atlan, the original King of Atlantis, is identified as King Kordax. It's previously been reported that Pilou Asbæk is playing Mongo, the tyrant ruler of Necrus, the "Black City," but has his role since evolved into Kordax?
We'd say it's likely, but will have to wait and see. As for Kordax, he was created by Peter David and Esteban Maroto and first appeared in the pages of 1990's Atlantis Chronicles #4.
Born a Millennia ago, he was abandoned at birth due to his grotesque appearance but survived in the ocean thanks to his mental control over sea creatures.
He was later found by his villainous father Dardanus and went on to lead the Tritonians against the Poseidonians in battle, utilizing his awesome control over sea life in an epic battle. Kordax was defeated and his punishment included the loss of his left hand - replaced with a sword - and banishment. All Atlantean children born with blond hair are said to have the "Curse of Kordax" (Aquaman was one such child and was also thus abandoned at birth to die).
It's intriguing to think about how all of this will come together and the sequel is definitely shaping up to be more exciting than some recent reports have led us to believe.
Check out these new Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom action figures below.
Leaked Aquaman 2 Wave
byu/crust_Q inMcFarlaneFigures
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.