Groundbreaking Revelation: Aquaman 2 Breaks Free from DC Universe and Takes a Daring New Direction!

Aquaman 2 director James Wan recently discussed the sequel's connection to the ever-evolving state of the DC Universe (DCU). Known for his expertise in horror films such as the Saw and Conjuring franchises, as well as M3GAN, Wan ventured into directing blockbuster action movies in 2015 with Furious 7.

Following the massive success of Aquaman in 2018, which became the highest-grossing DC movie of all time, earning $1.14 billion, it was inevitable that Warner Bros. would greenlight a sequel. However, significant changes have taken place in the DCU since the release of Aquaman. The merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery brought about several alterations to their film lineup. Notably, the completion of the Batgirl film was halted, Henry Cavill's return as Superman was confirmed and subsequently rescinded, Ben Affleck departed from the franchise, and James Gunn assumed control of the DCU. Lastly, the highly anticipated film The Flash is set to reset the entire DCEU.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wan discussed the process of creating the Aquaman sequel and the adjustments he had to make. He mentioned that the DCU has gone through various versions, making it challenging to keep track. However, the Aquaman universe is separate from the rest of the world, allowing them to explore different underwater kingdoms without being directly related to other movies and characters.

Aquaman is described as a standalone film that is not influenced by other movies or characters in the DC universe. The underwater kingdoms depicted in Aquaman are separate from the events occurring in Metropolis or Gotham. However, director James Wan acknowledges that he had to make some adjustments to align with the broader DC universe, stating that he can tell his own story while also being aware of the established narrative. Initially, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was scheduled to be released before The Flash, but the release order has been changed. It remains uncertain whether the events of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will occur before or after The Flash resets the DC universe. It is likely that the film takes place before the reset, and there is a possibility of a post-credit scene showcasing the changes in Aquaman's world, similar to how the MCU handled movies set before Avengers: Infinity War but released after it, such as Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter