Dive Deeper! James Wan Sets Sail to Crush Aquaman Sequel Rumors

Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer this Thursday, but director James Wan is taking this opportunity to clarify some details about the production. It has been five years since the first Aquaman movie, which starred Jason Momoa as the beloved Atlantian hero and made history by surpassing the $1 billion mark. However, there have been significant changes within the DC Films organization since then. Walter Hamada has stepped down, making way for James Gunn and Peter Safran to take over as co-heads of DC Films with a long-term plan in place. Unfortunately, Momoa's Aquaman is no longer part of that schedule.

Wan recently addressed the rumors surrounding the troubled production of the DC blockbuster sequel in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Reports have claimed that there were major issues during post-production, including three rounds of reshoots. Additionally, the film was at the center of the power transition to Gunn and Safran.

Wan stated that the initial challenge was the uncertainty of Aquaman's release timing in relation to The Flash. Hence, preparations had to be made. Ultimately, Wan emphasized that the noteworthy aspect of this movie is its lack of connection to any other films. Regarding the involvement of Ben Affleck or Michael Keaton, who portrayed Batman, in the reshoots, there was confusion. As The Flash was released earlier, it remains uncertain how this would impact Lost Kingdom, as Wan provided an ambiguous response.

"That's a 'no comment' for now," he stated. "You'll have to wait for the movie's release."

Nevertheless, Wan did not contradict the assertion that Gunn had provided input on the sequel now that he oversees DC Studios. Wan affirmed that he was still in control. "I've been acquainted with James for a long time, you know? We both have a background in horror, so I'm certainly receptive to suggestions. However, ultimately, this film is my vision."

Wan clarified that the reshoots for Aquaman 2 were similar to those of other major Hollywood blockbusters and mainly involved managing busy schedules. Due to the presence of prominent actors in the film, the shooting schedule had to be divided into sections. Shooting was done according to the availability of each actor, resulting in multiple shoots. However, when combined, the total number of shoot days was not as high as it may seem.

When asked about actress Amber Heard, who has portrayed Mera since Justice League in 2017, the director also addressed her claims during her 2022 defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. Heard stated in court that Warner Bros. had diminished her character's involvement. In response, Wan stated that the sequel focuses on Arthur's relationship with his brother, Orm, the Ocean Master, rather than Mera.

Regarding the future of the franchise, Wan believes that Lost Kingdom sets up a potential third film well. However, the success of the film depends on audience reception. This may be a minor concern considering DC's recent box office performance.

"What I find appealing about this one compared to the first is witnessing Arthur's growth," Wan expresses. "Initially, he is a wanderer, but in the second film, he finally discovers a purpose for his life. If there happens to be a third movie, it should focus on developing these characters further. We have established certain elements in the second film that can be explored in the third. While I don't have any specific story ideas, I believe that the next Aquaman movie should primarily revolve around character growth."

Gunn has clarified that any DC superhero films that do not align with their interconnected cinematic universe will be labeled as "Elseworlds," as seen with Robert Pattinson's portrayal in The Batman.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released in theaters on December 20.