Unleashing a Deeper Dive: What Can We Expect from Aquaman 2?

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan, will mark the end of the DC Extended Universe. Jason Momoa reprises his role as Aquaman, joined by familiar cast members such as Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. However, the sequel has faced controversy due to failed test screenings and the decision to bring Heard back amidst her legal dispute with Johnny Depp. As anticipation builds, fans are curious about the film's plot and its ability to stand on its own while wrapping up the DCEU.

Aquaman 2 features the same villains

In the upcoming sequel, director James Wan plans to expand the world of Atlantis and its inhabitants, making the film even more grand in scale. After Arthur Curry successfully claimed his position as the king of Atlantis, the focus will now shift to his efforts in protecting his underwater civilization from various evil threats. One of these threats may come in the form of an original character named Stingray, as well as a shark named Karshon, who bears a resemblance to King Shark from James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.

While introducing new adversaries, the sequel will also bring back some familiar villains from the first film, most notably David Kane, also known as Black Manta. This highly skilled pirate and mercenary seeks revenge for his father's death by targeting Aquaman. Similar to the dynamic between Agent Smith and Neo in The Matrix franchise, the question arises as to how Kane will upgrade his Black Trident suit to stand a chance against the formidable king of Atlantis. Although Black Manta put up a good fight in his bug-like suit during their previous encounter, Aquaman ultimately emerged victorious. It is possible that with the help of marine biologist Dr. Stephen Shin, who is intrigued by Atlantis, Black Manta will acquire more advanced weaponry and technology to gain the upper hand against the Atlantean-human hybrid.

In the sequel, Aquaman's half-brother, Orm Marius, makes an appearance as a prisoner of Atlantis. He was imprisoned for leading Atlantis towards a war with the surface world. While he was previously seen as a villain who lost to Aquaman, there is a possibility that Orm could follow a similar path as Loki from the Thor films, becoming more inclined towards the side of good and aiding Arthur in his future battles. Director Wan mentioned a comedic bromance between Arthur and Orm when he presented the first trailer for the sequel at Warner Bros.' CinemaCon in April 2023. The film has the potential to delve deeper into the complex relationship between Arthur and Orm, exploring whether they can resolve their differences and make decisions that are in the best interest of Atlantis.

Atlan, the first and possibly the greatest king of Atlantis, has appeared in the original Aquaman film as well as both versions of Justice League. Based on a recent poster for Aquaman 2, there is speculation that Atlan, also known as the Dead King, could be the main antagonist in the sequel. As the plot is being kept secret, it is unclear what Atlan's intentions are in this film. However, considering his powerful reign as king, it is possible that he, along with Orm, may seek to challenge Arthur for the throne of Atlantis.

War between surface world and Atlantis continues?

Arthur, as an Atlantean/human hybrid, has the potential to become a superior leader compared to Orm. Unlike Orm, who used cruel and ruthless methods to gain power, Arthur aims to address the mistreatment of others through more diplomatic means. By doing so, he can restore order in Atlantis without resorting to war. Despite the ongoing conflict between Atlantis and the surface world, Arthur's unique background positions him as a key figure in bridging the gap between the two sides.

However, Orm remains a manipulative character who seeks to instigate a war, resulting in devastating battles both on land and at sea. The presence of Batman, portrayed by Ben Affleck, in the film suggests that he will join forces with Aquaman to combat Orm and defend the surface world. Furthermore, recent photographs indicate the involvement of the United Nations in the conflict, drawing parallels to how Wakanda in Black Panther wrestled with the decision of sharing its resources and technology with the world. Arthur can demonstrate to the surface world how Atlantis operates and its commitment to resolving the pollution crisis without resorting to warfare, while also ensuring that it maintains well-defended armies in the seas.

Will Aquaman 2 wrap things up for the DCEU?

With the recent disappointments of Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, there are doubts about the success of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. However, like the upcoming Flash movie, this sequel has the potential to leave a lasting impression on the DCEU, ensuring a seamless and impactful transition to James Gunn's DC Universe.

The popularity of Jason Momoa and the talent of filmmaker James Wan, combined with the massive success of the first Aquaman film, provide hope that the sequel will exceed expectations and further explore the captivating world of Atlantis. While Momoa's future as Aquaman remains uncertain, his presence alone is enough reason to watch any film in the DC Universe. Additionally, Wan's unique style of horror can continue to be showcased in future superhero films, making him a valuable asset for DC.