Aquaman 2 Faces Third Delay in 4 Years
Aquaman 2 faces another setback as it is postponed for the third time in just four years, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the new release date Dive into the pre-release drama surrounding the highly anticipated sequel
Summary
Warner Bros. has delayed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom for the third time since its announcement.
The release date for the Aquaman sequel has been postponed by just two days, from Wednesday, December 20 to Friday, December 22. However, this slight delay could work in the film's favor, as it will now coincide with a weekend and be followed by Christmas Day, which may attract a larger audience.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to the record-breaking Aquaman, has been delayed by Warner Bros. for the third time since its initial announcement. The movie, which is set to conclude the DC Extended Universe with an exciting underwater adventure starring Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry, has experienced several setbacks. However, the latest delay is the shortest so far, with the film's release date being pushed back by only two days, from Wednesday, December 20 to Friday, December 22. This slight change could actually work in its favor, as it allows the movie to take advantage of the weekend and the following Monday, Christmas Day. Additionally, the new release date ensures that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom avoids direct competition with another highly anticipated December film, Wonka, while also maintaining DC's current movie release schedule without any major alterations.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Aquaman 2 Pre-Release Drama Explained
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has undergone several changes during its production, much like other projects in the DCEU. Factors such as the disappointing critical and commercial reception of previous DCEU films, shifts in the overall direction of the studio, and external variables have contributed to unexpected pivots in the development of the Aquaman sequel. The initial delay of the film from December 16, 2022, to March 17, 2023, was a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. further pushed the release date to December 25, 2023.
Warner Bros. and the DCEU's recent changes have raised concerns about the cast of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. There has been speculation surrounding Batman's role in the film, with reports of Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton reprising their respective Batman characters at different times, only for both to be cut from the final film. Furthermore, with James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU announcements, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faces the pressure of providing a farewell to the DCEU without acknowledging other DCEU characters or events.
One of the most controversial aspects of the movie is Amber Heard's involvement. Since the beginning, her role has been criticized due to her public dispute with ex-husband Johnny Depp. A recent report from Variety suggests that Warner Bros. significantly reduced Heard's role, and the only reason she was not completely dropped from the film is because of the intervention of Elon Musk, her former boyfriend. The report also includes details of Heard's conversations with her therapist, in which she claims that Jason Momoa arrived on set under the influence and that director James Wan raised his voice at her. Wan, however, has justified Mera's limited screen time by explaining that the character never had a major role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Source: Warner Bros.
