Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom brings back pretty much the entire cast of 2018's Aquaman, though there is one noteworthy absence: Willem Dafoe's Vulko.
The actor was cut from the 2017 theatrical cut of Justice League and Vulko's relationship with Arthur Curry - and his appearance - subsequently changed by the time Aquaman splashed down the following year. However, the difference this time is that Dafoe never shot any scenes for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Back in September, filmmaker James Wan explained, "Part of the reason was because [Dafoe's] schedule did not work out for us. But what that allowed me to do was expand on Atlanna's [Nicole Kidman] role. Atlanna in this one ultimately becomes Arthur's advisor."
"Because Arthur's not from this world, she helps him better understand the world and the politics of how things work."
So, with Vulko sidelined, how does this movie explain his absence? Disappointingly, he dies off-camera with the heroic Atlantean's fate revealed in a throwaway line many of you will likely miss if you watch Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom this weekend.
Fairly soon into the sequel, Aquaman learns that the oceans are being affected by plague-like outbreaks linked to an increase in greenhouse gases (which are causing the seas to absorb more carbon dioxide). The surface is blamed for poisoning their atmosphere, though we later learn that it's down to Black Manta's use of Orichulcum, an ancient fuel which is ravaging the water.
As for Vulko, one of those plagues killed him at some point robbing him of the chance to ever see Arthur unite the surface world and Atlantis. It's an underwhelming end for the character and one which is likely to disappoint many fans. In terms of other character deaths, Mera, Thomas Curry, and Aquababy, all of whom were rumoured to die at one point, survive.
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.
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 splashes down into theaters on December 22.