Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: The Epic Journey of Arthur Curry

The Rise of Aquaman

James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom continues the story of Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry after three major DCEU appearances that influence the events of the sequel. Introduced in the form of a brief cameo in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Jason Momoa's Aquaman has become one of the biggest DC stars. Although he only appeared a few times in the franchise, the King of Atlantis starred in DC's highest grossing movie, became a founding member of the DCEU's Justice League, and received the duty of providing the final chapter to the DC Extended Universe's 15-movie run.

King Atlan and Atlantis Before Sinking in Aquaman 2018 DCEU

Now, Aquaman faces his biggest challenge. After becoming a king and a superhero, Aquaman needs to protect Atlantis from David Kane a.k.a. Black Manta, who seeks to unleash chaos both underwater and on land in order to exact revenge on Aquaman. Black Manta is responsible for Aquaman's most painful tragedies in the source material, though Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry might be able to escape his tragic fate in live-action. To better understand the sequel's story, it's important to revisit the events of Aquaman and Justice League.

Atlantis Underwater City in The DCEU's Aquaman 2018 Movie

The History of Atlantis

Atlantis' Backstory Is Explained In Justice League And Aquaman Flashbacks Millennia before the events of Aquaman, Atlantis had advanced so much as a society that they had figured out a source of infinite energy. However, Atlantis' state-of-the-art technology wasn't enough to prevent their downfall, as the immense power of Atlan's Trident accidentally destroyed the kingdom, plunging it into the depths of the ocean. Fortunately, it also provided the Atlanteans with the ability to resist intense pressure and breathe underwater. Centuries later in the DCEU's chronological timeline, Atlantis makes an alliance with the Amazons, the Ancient Gods, and human warriors against Darkseid and Apokolips. Together, they defend Earth and keep the alien invaders from retrieving and using the powerful Mother Boxes to conquer the universe.

The Kingdom of the Deserters in The DCEU's Aquaman 2018 Movie

As the Atlanteans adapt to their new environment, the kingdom splits into seven factions, each with its own ruler: Atlantis, Xebel, the Brine, the Deserters, the Fishermen, the Trench, and the Lost Kingdom. Whereas Atlantis, Xebel, the Brine, and the Fishermen thrive throughout the centuries, the Deserters die off in the Sahara, the Trench devolve into monstrous creatures, and the Lost Kingdom distances itself from the other underwater societies. None of Atlantis' seven factions are widely known on the surface world, at least until Aquaman reveals his existence.

The Trench Dive Into the Ocean in Aquaman 2018

The Journey of Arthur Curry

Aquaman is Born To Queen Atlanna And Tom Curry What makes Aquaman a unique Atlantean is that he's Queen Atlanna's half-human son. Unbeknownst to Atlantis, Queen Atlanna falls in love with lighthouse keeper Tom Curry, with whom she has a child. However, the Atlantean kingdom learns of the Queen's secret, and they force her to return home without her baby. In the following years, Arthur Curry grows up with his father as a regular kid, but only until he realizes he has the ability to communicate with sealife and breathe underwater.

King Triton Hides A Mother Box In Atlantis During Justice League Flashback

Aquaman Trains With Nuidis Vulko Nuidis Vulko, Chief Advisor to the King of Atlantis, eventually gets in touch with the young Arthur Curry and reveals his true origin. While Arthur assimilates his nature and his heritage, Vulko trains him in hand-to-hand combat and swimming, as well as in wielding Queen Atlanna's trident, which she left behind before returning to Atlantis. Vulko also reveals Queen Atlanna's possible death in the depths of the Trench to Arthur, which hurts Arthur and leads him to abandon his training. However, a grown-up Aquaman reunites with Vulko years later, and they join forces to topple King Orm's rule.

Tom Curry and Queen Atlanna in the DCEU's Aquaman Movie

Aquaman Joins The Justice League And Helps Defeat Steppenwolf Before Aquaman claims the Atlantean throne, however, he proves himself as a hero with other metahumans. After training with Vulko in his teenage years, Arthur Curry mostly uses his superpowers for personal gain, frequenting pubs and winning street brawls effortlessly for the sake of alcohol. That is, until Bruce Wayne himself shows up to recruit him with the help of Amanda Waller and Lex Luthor's intel on the world's secret metahumans. Aquaman accepts reluctantly, but his partnership with Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, the Flash, and finally Superman helps him change his mind about what it means to be a hero.

Aquaman Trains with Vulko in the DCEU's Aquaman 2018