Additionally, the superhero-fighting-superhero trend started with Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which came out two months before Captain America: Civil War. The two films share themes and similar financial success, though Captain America: Civil War is a much more critically acclaimed film. However, the highest grossing DCEU film might surprise some folks. It does not feature the Dark Knight, the Man of Steel, or the Princess of Themyscira. The film that holds this distinction is 2018’s Aquaman.

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Aquaman is an interesting film from several angles. It was the first movie of its kind to use under-water filming technology to make Atlantis feel like a real, tangible place. It also catapulted Jason Momoa out of the Game of Thrones shadows and into the spotlight once again. Additionally, it happens to be the highest-grossing DCEU film, grossing more than $1.1 billion. After the financial success of the first film, there are hefty expectations for Director James Wan and crew to deliver an impressive on-screen sequel. The film does not release until December of 2022, but what can DCEU fans expect from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?

Jason Momoa headlines an extremely star-studded cast in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Love interest and fellow Atlantean Mera will be reprised by Amber Heard, while Nicole Kidman will once again portray Atlanna, Aquaman’s mother. Further bolstering the film’s heavy roster is the legendary Willem Dafoe as Vulko and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the sinister Black Manta.

A talented and veteran cast can do a lot for a film franchise. They are a huge part of why Aquaman was so financially successful to begin with. These impressive actors make Atlantis and the rest of Aquaman’s world feel fully realized and relatable, even if they are metahumans.

DC Fandome was held this past fall. It was a virtual event that showcased exciting DC projects that will be taking place over the next year. It featured teasers for Black Adam, a full-length trailer for The Batman, a teaser for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, plus much more.

In the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom clip shown at DC Fandome, Jason Momoa promised audiences “a bigger story” for the second Aquaman film. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom looks to be a story that spans the globe, both above and below the surface of the oceans. Given the fact that the movie is titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, fans can expect much deep-sea exploration in the film itself.

Director James Wan has stated that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is greatly influenced by the Spanish-Italian horror film Planet of the Vampires from 1965. This suggests the film could feature some horror elements, not unlike some sequences in the first Aquaman project.

Black Manta is one of the most bloodthirsty supervillains in DC Comics lore. His father was killed during a conflict with Aquaman, and Black Manta considers the death a murder. Black Manta has sworn vengeance for his father’s death, and has made it his life’s purpose to kill Aquaman.

It would be wise for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to delve deeper into Black Manta’s psychology and trauma. After all, Aquaman’s main supervillain was not Black Manta, but Ocean Master. Though Black Manta played a part in the film, it was somewhat peripheral. When you have an actor as talented as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II cast as Aquaman’s primary foe, it would be wise not to waste him or the character’s rich story.

In DC Comics lore, Atlantis is one of seven oceanic kingdoms. Other noteworthy kingdoms are Xebel, a militaristic kingdom that rivals the might of Atlantis, The Kingdom of the Deserters, which ceased to function when the Sahara Desert formed over it, and The Trench, which is in the famous Mariana Trench and is home to some of the most vicious creatures beneath the seas.

Given that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is influenced by a 1960s horror film, it begs the question of whether or not the ‘lost kingdom’ is The Trench. Trench-like creatures attacked Aquaman and Mera in the second act of Aquaman, but the film did not go deep into what the creatures were or what their motives might be. When superstar writer Geoff Johns wrote a graphic novel about The Trench, it propelled Aquaman to new heights in DC Comics. James Wan would be wise to follow suit on the silver screen.

As is the case with most origin stories, Aquaman did not dive deep into Atlantean lore, it merely summarized Atlantis’s history and current state of affairs. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom should explore the nooks and crannies of Atlantis to give viewers a richer understanding of the fabled underwater kingdom.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to release in theaters on December 16th, 2022.

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