Aquaman 2 Continues the Saga of Disrespect Towards a Snyderverse Character

In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, one of the DCEU's best characters was shown disrespect, who was meant to debut in Synderverse's Justice League. The movie portrayed Arthur Curry's return as the King of Atlantis and his new role as a father. He grapples with the weight of his new responsibilities after his significant growth in Aquaman, where he embraced his Atlantean heritage and aimed to unite the surface world with Atlantis.

Arthur faced challenges in his growth, dealing with derogatory labels like "half-breed" and "bastard" from Atlantean critics, especially his brother Orm. Despite this, he had a supportive group by his side, including his future wife Mera, his Queen mother Atlanna, his father Tom, and his mentor Nuidis Vulko - Vizier of Atlantis. While these characters remained significant in Aquaman's DCEU journey, the treatment of Vulko in the DCEU was particularly disrespectful, as his noble story met an undignified end.

Vulko Was Key To Aquaman's DCEU Story

Aquaman Trains with Vulko in the DCEU's Aquaman 2018 - Vulko Was Key To Aquaman's DCEU Story

Willem Dafoe portrays Nuidis Vulko in the DCEU, serving as the chief advisor to the throne of Atlantis. He forms a close bond with Queen Atlanna, who entrusts him with the task of secretly guiding and training Arthur after she is banished to the Trench. Throughout Arthur's childhood, Vulko meets with him regularly on land, teaching him about his Atlantean heritage and preparing him for battles.

Despite Arthur's initial rejection upon learning the truth about his mother, Vulko remains loyal to the rightful heir of the Atlantean throne. He works covertly against Arthur's half-brother Orm, following Atlanna's wishes. With the assistance of Mera, Vulko eventually helps Arthur realize his destiny, which is solidified when Arthur obtains the Trident of Atlan. Despite facing discovery by Orm, Vulko stays true to the true heir of Atlantis without hesitation. It is clear that without Vulko's unwavering support and guidance, Aquaman would not have fulfilled his potential.

Vulko is sadly killed off in Zack Snyder's Justice League

Despite the official DCEU timeline introducing Vulko in Aquaman, the original plan was for him to debut in Zack Snyder's Justice League. However, his character was ultimately written out in the theatrical cut of Justice League. This decision not only marked Vulko's first interaction with Aquaman in years but also signaled the beginning of disrespect towards the character.

Darkseid kills Willem Dafoe's Vulko in Zack Snyder's Justice League - Vulko Is Unceremoniously Killed Off In Zack Snyder's Justice League

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, Vulko meets Arthur before Aquaman and urges him to embrace his destiny as the true King by wielding his mother's trident. Despite Arthur's initial reluctance, Vulko's presence is not limited to this encounter. He appears again in a grim scene from Cyborg's vision of a dystopian future, where the Justice League's defeat results in Darkseid conquering Earth and the tragic demise of Diana, Arthur, and even a corrupted Superman.

During Arthur's death scene, Darkseid impales him with his own trident underwater. Vulko tries to swim away from the supervillain, but Darkseid quickly kills him with an Omega Beam from his eyes. This swift and unceremonious death portrays Vulko as disposable in Darkseid's quest against Earth and the Justice League. Despite showcasing Darkseid's power, it doesn't give Vulko the narrative significance he deserves.

In a deleted scene from Zack Snyder's Justice League, Vulko is seen with Mera bidding farewell to Arthur. This sets the stage for Aquaman's journey as he visits his father, marking the beginning of his story.

Aquaman 2 Kills Vulko Off-Screen In A Bad Way

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, Vulko's brief appearance was easier to accept, but in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, his off-screen death feels disappointing. Following the events of Aquaman, where Vulko's importance to the story was highlighted, his demise in the sequel lacks the dramatic impact it deserved.

Temuera Morrison's Tom Curry drinks a beer in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - Aquaman 2 Kills Vulko Off-Screen In A Bad Way

Vulko's absence in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a stark reminder of the disrespect he faced in Zack Snyder's Justice League. Despite the return of key characters like Mera, Atlanna, Tom, and a reformed Orm, Vulko is notably missing. The explanation given for his absence feels like a mere afterthought, diminishing the impact of his character in the DCEU.

Arthur's lifelong mentor and loyal friend, Vulko, passed away off-screen as shown by Dafoe's absence in the movie. In the opening scenes, Arthur tells his dad that Vulko succumbed to a "plague" caused by the Earth's changing climate. The head of the Council of Atlantis, Karshon, later confirms this, sparking a disagreement between him and Arthur on how to deal with the global crisis.

Unfortunately, Willem Dafoe's busy schedule prevented Vulko's return in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The challenges faced during the sequel's production made it difficult for key actors to reprise their roles. Due to this real-world constraint, the filmmakers had to address Vulko's absence in the movie by revealing his death.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the disheartening treatment of Nuidis Vulko, a pivotal character in Aquaman's DCEU journey. Despite his significance as Arthur Curry's mentor and guide, Vulko's unceremonious demise in Zack Snyder's Justice League and off-screen death in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom demonstrate a lack of respect for his character.

While the article acknowledges the real-world constraints that prevented Willem Dafoe's return, it argues that Vulko's absence and undignified end diminish the impact of his character in the DCEU. It suggests that the filmmakers could have explored alternative ways to address Dafoe's unavailability, such as recasting or altering the narrative, to preserve Vulko's narrative significance. Ultimately, the article expresses disappointment over the disrespect shown to a character who played a crucial role in Aquaman's growth and journey as the King of Atlantis.