Tag: Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Lobo’: Jason Momoa In Talks With DC Studios To Play Foul-Mouthed Alien Bounty Hunter, Might Show Up In ‘Superman: Legacy’ Before Solo Pic

Despite “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom,” the upcoming sequel to the billion-dollar hit “Aquaman,” being on the way this December, it looks like actor Jason Momoa (“Dune,” “Game of Thrones”) is now seeking another big comic book role at DC Studios. In a new report from Variety, the outlet claims that Momoa’s time as Aquaman is ending and is already in talks to play another DC Comics character. That being Lobo, a beefy alien biker and bounty hunter who can go toe-to-toe with Superman but has some antihero traits similar to that of both Marvel’s Wolverine and Deadpool. Gruff appearance and lots of witty one-liners ready to go, a character that would most likely suit Momoa’s entire aesthetic more than Aquaman or any other hero or villain in comics.

Speaking of the Man of Steel facing off with The Main Man, they also suggest it is unclear if his first appearance would be in James Gunn‘s “Superman: Legacy” or in a hypothetical solo adventure. As far as we know there hasn’t been any active development on the new incarnation of the “Lobo” movie, which had been in the works a long time ago.

Momoa may return, just not as Aquaman. Sources say the actor has engaged in talks to play Lobo, either in the 2025 reboot ‘Superman: Legacy,’ written and directed by Gunn, or in a standalone film.

Ages ago, a solo “Lobo” movie had been in development at Warner Bros. predating either Momoa or Gunn’s involvement with the current run of comic book movies. At one point, Joel Silver was producing and had Guy Ritchie (“Aladdin,” “Snatch”) attached to direct with various suitors aiming to play Lobo at different times such as Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Watchmen,” “The Walking Dead”) during the Ritchie version and “Black Adam” actor Dwayne Johnson (Eyed a mangled Sgt. Rock incarnation as well) back with Brad Peyton when it once looked like he was going to direct.

However, a leaked version of the “Lobo” script made its way online and seemed to focus on alien fugitives making their way to Earth as Lobo was in pursuit of them in his capacity as a ruthless bounty hunter. Making his way to Earth to collect his newest bounties.

Since then, there really hasn’t been any talk of bringing Lobo to the big screen and we’ll wait for some official word from Gunn/WB before getting too excited about the prospect of Momoa as Lobo. It would be nice to see DC Studios branch out with a couple more cosmic projects since Lobo is a character that can be explored in outer space and on Earth. The former is the preferred setting given how few non-Earthbound films we’ve seen from Warner Bros. since they started churning out modern DC projects.

Momoa had been previously outspoken that one of his dream roles would be playing Lobo, so, this might be a solid way to transition the actor into the newly formed DCU. The hard reset on the DCEU seemingly is the reason as other actors playing “Justice League” members (Momoa, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Ezra Miller) aren’t expected to reprise their roles either. This comes after some misleading statements suggesting that Gadot would be involved with a third “Wonder Woman” movie and a wave of untrustworthy online rumors claiming that Affleck would be getting multiple new projects as Batman. Clearly, the Affleck nonsense has been put to rest.

In fact, none of the stars cast by Zack Snyder for 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and 2017’s “Justice League” — including Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller and Momoa — will reprise their roles in the new DC universe in character.

Gunn has clarified the three existing characters carrying over to the DCU are John Cena’s Peacemaker, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, and Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle. Limiting the carry-over characters, including ones that Gunn helped mold, might be sort of an olive branch to fans potentially upset that the Snyderverse is being expelled for the new rebooted cinematic universe.

I’m sure we’ll end up hearing soon from Gunn on these new tidbits.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Posted on in Film News, News, Trailers

‘Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom’ Trailer: Black Manta Is On A Mission Of Revenge This December

There had been suspicions that Warner Bros. was holding back a trailer for their “Aquaman” sequel because of a potential release date shift amid moving “Dune: Part Two” from November to March of next year. The studio has dropped a first-look trailer for the DC Comics film that is a follow-up to the billion-dollar hit and looks like “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom” will indeed make that December 20 date as promised.

We’re not expecting too much in the way of plot and character depth, but it looks like director James Wan has cooked up something that doubles down on the spectacle. We now see Black Manta has the means and power via The Black Trident to get revenge for the death of his father. The villain was slowly being set up in the first installment as a future antagonist. As Black Manta threatens Atlantis and the other kingdoms, Arthur will have to team up with his villainous brother, Orm, to save their people from this deadly menace from the surface.

“Aquaman 2” is now the last feature film from the previous regime as James Gunn and Peter Safran look to reset the DCU with “Blue Beetle” confirmed to be part of that new vision. Gunn is gearing up to shoot “Superman: Legacy” next year in Atlanta with actors David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Guy Garnder/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.

It’ll be interesting to see if Jason Momoa ends up getting a second DC Comics role in the new DCU as there have been hints that he may just happen to end up landing to Lobo if his tenure as Aquaman is truly finished. Momoa is the spitting image of the alien bounty hunter and certainly would be a comedic/mature character that fits nicely alongside Gunn’s own “The Suicide Squad.” A “Lobo” movie has been in the works for ages with a string of directors being involved/wanted at different points such as Guy Ritchie, Michael Bay, and Brad Peyton.


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.

SOURCE: WARNER BROS PICTURES

Posted on in Film News, News

WB Reportedly Might Delay Releases Of ‘Dune 2,’ ‘The Color Purple’ & ‘Aquaman 2’ To Due To Strike

While there have been ups and downs during the wave of studio blockbusters this summer. The fall and winter film season is a little less crowded, however, we might not have as many big films to look forward to later this year, specifically from Warner Bros. Pictures.

Variety is now claiming that Warners is potentially considering moving their three big 2023 movies “Dune Part Two,” the musical remake of “The Color Purple,” and their DC Comics film “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom” into 2024. Although, they stop short from sharing details of when those projects could be added to the 2024 slate and suggest it’s also possible they could stick to their intended dates as well. Respectively those previously etched-out dates were November 3, December 20, and December 25.

Citing the ongoing labor strike in Hollywood as the main cause of the potential disruption. Given that the actors’ union is requiring members not to do promotion for upcoming films after the strike. Many studios rushed to get junkets and interviewers completed ahead of the SAG-AFTRA strike to make sure promos were recorded and could be pushed-out at a later date. Actors aren’t looking to cross picket lines to attend red carpets or do interviews which would make things increasingly difficult for studios (strikes are meant to be disruptive for a reason) to promote their films in the manner they’re used to.

Also, it might be worth mentioning that “Dune 2” boasts a massively popular young cast such as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler who would all be key to getting younger audiences to support the expensive sci-fi fantasy sequel.

This news comes after reports that the James Wan sequel to the billion-dollar hit has undergone three rounds of reshoots. If you consider the superhero pic’s budget already started out in the $200 million-plus range, those reshoots are expected to have been pricey. I think it was obvious that “Aquaman 2” wasn’t going to be making that December 20 release given the studio still hasn’t even released a teaser trailer for the sequel.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Posted on in Film News, News

‘The Trench’ Was A Secret Black Manta Movie According To James Wan

Ever since DC Films launched their own cinematic universe with DCEU, we’ve seen so many film projects announced/developed in-house only to be never made or thrown into limbo. Some of those films include Ben Affleck’s solo Batman film, Zack Snyder’s second Justice League movie, Lobo, Sgt. Rock, Joker & Harley Quinn, Man of Steel 2, Nightwing, Steven Spielberg’s Blackhawk, Ava DuVernay’s New Gods, and an Aquaman spinoff, The Trench, and even more.

The Trench is an interesting spinoff as the horror-inspired project was seen as New Line Cinema retrofitting an existing submarine thriller film The Volos from writers Noah Gardner and Aidan Fitzgerald into a DC Comics project. Only for it to get dumped by the studio alongside New Gods back in April.

There is word from Aquaman’s James Wan on Instagram (spotted by io9) that The Trench was actually a secret Black Manta movie, something that was never mentioned publicly by the studio or Wan, the film’s producer. A shocking revelation from the producer and filmmaker.

“I’ll let you in on a secret, the canceled Trench spin-off movie was really going to be a secret Black Manta movie.”

This would have meant Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman, Watchmen) would have led the project, and seems weird it never got the green light, in retrospect given how popular the actor has become at Warner Bros. taking key roles in The Matrix Resurrections and the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel Furiosa along with his return for Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom.

Considering projects like Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and Joker focused on DC Comics villains it feels odd they didn’t move forward with this Black Manta movie given Aquaman was a billion-dollar hit. It comes off as yet another example of the studio fumbling the DC franchise as the projects announced that don’t reach the finished line continue to pile up.

Will the studio circle back? That remains to be seen.

Speaking of the Aquaman sequel, it will be released on December 16, 2022, and has Black Manta expected to have a bigger role.

SOURCE: JAMES WAN

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Aquaman 2’: James Wan Says Sequel “Heavily Inspired” By Mario Bava’s Classic Sci-Fi Horror Film ‘Planet Of The Vampires’

Production has been underway for a while now on Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England. However, we don’t know a lot about the film outside of it focusing on Necrus (assumed to be the “lost kingdom”) and the DC Comics villain Mongo.

Director James Wan has mentioned a key film that will “heavily inspire” the Aquaman sequel. While speaking with Total Film, the filmmaker cited Mario Bava’s classic Italian sci-fi horror film Planet of The Vampires from 1965.

“Aquaman 2 is very heavily inspired by Planet of the Vampires. You can take the boy out of horror but you can never take the horror out the boy.”

It’s a little shocking given how goofy and colorful the original installment was, but Wan seemingly indicates they’ll be doing a little darker with Aquaman 2.

“Well, the first movie took a lot of people by surprise, right? And that’s partially because they were not familiar with the comic book, which deals in this very lurid, strange world. People were taken aback that I didn’t throw all that stuff away and make a dark, heavy film. But I didn’t feel that would have been right for it. So with the second film, I feel it will be easier for people to accept where we go because I’ve already laid the foundation.”

If you’re not familiar to the Italian sci-fi horror film check out a synopsis and trailer (alongside Joe Dante talking about the film for Trailers From hell) below.

PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES – In the near future the two spaceships Argos and Galliot are sent to investigate the mysterious planet Aura. As the Galliot lands on the planet her crew suddenly go berserk and attack each other. The strange event passes, but the crew soon discovers the crashed Argos – and learns that her crew died fighting each other! Investigating further, the explorers come to realize the existence of a race of bodiless aliens that seek to escape from their dying world.

Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom is set to hit theaters on December 16, 2022.

SOURCE: TOTAL FILM

Posted on in Film News, News

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & ‘Transformers: Rise Of The Beast’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Team For Warner Bros. Dystopian Thriller ‘By All’

Warner Bros. and actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman, HBO’s Watchman) have been working together on a consistent basis with Aquaman, The Matrix 4, Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, and will begin shooting George Miller’s Furiosa soon in Australia.

Well, Warner Bros. has just picked up another project that stars the rising talent, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They’re just acquired the dystopian thriller By All that will be led by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and has director Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II) attached.

The story kicks off in the aftermath of a tragic event and follows Donte, a man struggling to make ends meet who is forced to go on the run in a world without police, where justice is crowd-sourced. The studio and the actor sparked to the action thriller given its provocative and timely premise about the imbalance of power in communities and how it warps the sense of responsibility, family, and friendship.

The filmmaker is deep into production on Paramount’s Transformers: Rise of The Beast.

Yahya’s next big release will be the Candyman soft-reboot from director Nia DaCosta (The Marvels) and producer Jordan Peele, finally heading to theaters on August 27.

CANDYMAN – For as long as residents can remember, the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times into a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; HBO’s Watchmen, Us) and his girlfriend, gallery director Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris; If Beale Street Could Talk, The Photograph), move into a luxury loft condo in Cabrini, now gentrified beyond recognition and inhabited by upwardly mobile millennials.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News

‘Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom’ Has Officially Started Filming & Cinematographer Don Burgess Confirmed

Director James Wan has taken to Instagram to announce that the Aquaman sequel, Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, has begun filming on the United Kingdom stages and the photo also confirmed that cinematographer Don Burgess is back after shooting the last installment.

Wan’s photo below showcases an icy set and reiterates the sequel’s working title of Nercus, a reference to King Mongo’s kingdom aka The Black City.

Filming will be taking place at Warner Bros. Studios. Leavesden in Watford, England and a bit of a change-up of shooting location as the first film was shot at Village Roadshow Studios in Australia. The English facility is also being used for The Flash movie alongside recently wrapped Warner Bros. pics such as The Batman and Fantastic Beasts 3.

Other DC Comics films in production include Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam that is about finish up soon and David F. Sandberg’s Shazam!: Fury of The Gods recently just started down in Atlanta.

Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom is set for release on December 16, 2022 pitting it against James Cameron’s Avatar 2.

SOURCE: JAMES WAN

Posted on in Film News

‘Aquaman’ Sequel Officially Titled ‘Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom’; Confirming The Setting Of Necrus

Danish actor Pilou Asbæk (Overlord, Ghost In The Shell, Game of Thrones) is the latest addition to the Aquaman sequel with Jason Momoa and Amber Heard set to return as Aquaman 2’s leads.  The working title going to be Necrus, a direct nod the underwater city of Necrus aka The Black City that is ruled by King Mongo, a character that Pilou is most likely playing.

Well, the film’s title seems to all confirming Necrus will be the setting, as director James Wan announced on Instagram the official title will be Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom.

Momoa previous confirmed a production start next month at Warner Bros. Studios Leavseden in Watford, England. Those same stages are being used for The Flash and Fantastic Beasts 3. The actor revealed he’ll also be landing story credit on the sequel.

The Ronin can confirm that production designer Bill Brzeski is back for Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom.

The original film was shot at Village Roadshow Studios in Australia under the working title Ahab.

It’s expected that Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, and Temuera Morrison will appear as well.

Other DC Comics films currently in production are The Flash, Black Adam, and Shazam! Fury of The Gods.

Warner Bros. has given the sequel a release date of December 16, 2022.

AQUAMAN – Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, the city of Atlantis is now an underwater kingdom ruled by the power-hungry King Orm. With a vast army at his disposal, Orm plans to conquer the remaining oceanic people — and then the surface world. Standing in his way is Aquaman, Orm’s half-human, half-Atlantean brother and true heir to the throne. With help from royal counselor Vulko, Aquaman must retrieve the legendary Trident of Atlan and embrace his destiny as protector of the deep.

SOURCE: JAMES WAN