Aquaman 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster film Aquaman, is set to make a splash on the big screen in December 2023. With the first movie’s massive success, earning over $1.148 billion at the box office, it’s no surprise that DC Studios is gearing up to deliver another action-packed underwater adventure. 

Director James Wan returns to helm the sequel, with a star-studded cast that includes Jason Momoa reprising his role as Arthur Curry/Aquaman. Here’s everything you need to know about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, including plot details, cast, and release date.

The upcoming American superhero film Aquaman 2 is based on the DC Comics character Aquaman. It is scheduled to be the sequel to Aquaman (2018), as well as the 15th and final entry in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and is being produced by DC Studios, the Safran Company, and Atomic Monster Productions, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. 

Jason Momoa stars as Arthur Curry / Aquaman opposite Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison, and Nicole Kidman in the film directed by James Wan from a script written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick.

Momoa pitched a story for Aquaman 2 during the first film’s production. Wan agreed to oversee development, and Johnson-McGoldrick signed to write the screenplay. Wan was confirmed to be directing in August 2020 and announced the sequel’s title in June 2021.

Filming began at the end of the month and concluded in January 2022. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2023, following several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and post-production setbacks.

Aquaman 2
Jason Momoa as Aquaman

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Aquaman 2 Release Date

Aquaman 2 release date has ebbed and flowed, as it does with other movies in production around the time of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic. Arthur Curry’s second appearance was originally scheduled for December 2022, but a massive DC Universe reorganization saw Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom pushed back to March 17, 2023. 

The release date was subsequently pushed back again to August 2022, with the new date coming on December 25th, 2023. However, one more adjustment would push Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s release date up to December 20, 2023.

The most recent Aquaman 2 delays were apparently caused by a lack of post-production VFX processing time. It wasn’t the first DC Universe film to be delayed, as Shazam! Fury of the Gods was likewise delayed from its planned Christmas 2022 release date. 

In terms of whether Aquaman 2 and other upcoming DC films will have a dual big and small screen release, Warner Bros. movies currently become available for streaming on HBO Max after a 45-day exclusivity window in theatres, which means the Aquaman sequel would arrive on HBO Max sometime in mid-January or early February 2024.

Aquaman 2 Cast

The sequel will see the return of several familiar faces and the introduction of new characters. The confirmed cast members for Aquaman 2 include:

  • Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, the half-Atlantean/half-human king of Atlantis who can swim at supersonic speeds and communicate with aquatic life.
  • Amber Heard is Mera, the princess of Xebel and daughter of King Nereus, who can telepathically control water with her mind and communicate with other Atlanteans.
  • Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, the vizier of Atlantis and Arthur’s mentor
  • Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius, Arthur’s Atlantean half-brother and the former king of Atlantis, was imprisoned following his crimes against Atlantis.
  • Dolph Lundgren is King Nereus, the king of Xebel and Mera’s father.
  • As David Kane / Black Manta, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is a ruthless pirate and high-seas mercenary who uses an Atlantean armoured suit and wields the powerful Black Trident, seeking to kill Aquaman for revenge for his father’s death.
  • Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Arthur’s father, a lighthouse keeper
  • Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Arthur’s mother and the former queen of Atlantis.
  • Also appearing are Randall Park as Dr Stephen Shin, a marine biologist obsessed with finding Atlantis; Vincent Regan as Atlan, the first king of Atlantis; Jani Zhao as Stingray; Indya Moore as Karshon; and Pilou Asbæk in an undisclosed role.

New additions to the cast include Pilou Asbaek in an undisclosed role, Vincent Regan as Atlan, Indya Moore as Karshon, and Jani Zhao as Stingray. Furthermore, Ben Affleck is reportedly set to appear as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

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Aquaman 2 Plot

The adventure movie will follow Arthur and his brother Orm as they try to find the titular Lost Kingdom before Black Manta. While specific plot details for Aquaman 2 remain under wraps, the official synopsis provides some insight into the direction of the sequel: “When an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation.”

This “unlikely ally” could potentially be Orm Marius, Aquaman’s half-brother and nemesis from the first film. The sequel is expected to explore new worlds and introduce interesting characters, with director James Wan teasing the presence of a “fun bromance” between Arthur and Orm.

The sequel’s story will likely address environmental issues, such as melting ice caps and humanity’s impact on the planet.

Apparently, the villain will be trying to locate a powerful weapon called the Black Trident, which the legend says was created by a missing civilization. Can Aquaman and Ocean Maser get along and stop the deep-sea deviant before he gets his flippers on the weapon? We’ll have to watch to find out.

Amber Heard as Mera
Amber Heard as Mera

Aquaman 2 Behind the Scene Teaser

Jason Momoa reprises his role as Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, in the behind-the-scenes video, which combines on-set footage and sequences from the film itself. He expresses regret for the four-year wait for the sequel.

We can catch a peek at him in action with a shot of the actor in the middle of a combat scene. We also get a glimpse of Amber Heard, who is returning as Mera, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is Black Manta in a new outfit.

In the erstwhile King Orm role, Patrick Wilson returns alongside Momoa, Abdul-Mateen II, and Heard. Tom, Arthur’s father, is once again played by Temuera Morrison, and Pilou Asbaek from Game of Thrones plays an unspecified part in the film. 

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Aquaman 2 Production

Aquaman star Jason Momoa played an active role in the development of the sequel, even pitching a story idea during the first film’s production. Director James Wan was initially hesitant to rush into a sequel but eventually agreed to oversee its development in January 2019.

A month later, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick was brought on board to write the screenplay, with Wan officially confirmed as the director in August 2020.

Filming for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom took place from June 2021 to January 2022, with additional reshoots occurring in July 2022. The movie’s principal photography took place in various locations, including London, the United Kingdom, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and New Jersey.

Aquaman 2
Aquaman 2

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Future of the Franchise

Aquaman 2 is set to be the final instalment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) before the launch of the new DC Universe (DCU) slate. There have been speculations about whether Jason Momoa will reprise his role as Aquaman in the upcoming DCU, but no official decision has been made.

If Momoa were to be cast as another character in the DCU, such as Lobo, he would not portray Aquaman in the new cinematic universe.

Aquaman 2 has great potential for box office success due to Jason Momoa’s enormous global fan base and the return of several important cast members, including Amber Heard as Mera and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta.

Audiences are already pumped by the recently released CinemaCon trailer, which teases audiences with tantalizing glimpses of Aquaman’s difficulties and the gorgeous underwater realm.

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Conclusion

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is shaping up to be an exciting follow-up to the successful first movie. With a talented cast, an intriguing plot, and a proven director at the helm, fans have high expectations for the underwater adventure.

As we eagerly await the film’s release in December 2023, keep an eye out for more updates and promotional material in the coming months.

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FAQs for Aquaman 2

Will Amber Heard be in Aquaman 2?

Amber Heard’s appearance in the trailer for “Aquaman 2” caused a stir in Hollywood during the CinemaCon 2023 event. The new movie, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” will feature Jason Momoa and Heard reprising their roles as heroes Arthur and Mera, respectively.

Who is the main character in Aquaman 2?

And after the set-up for Black Manta to be the sequel’s main villain, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has also confirmed he’s returning. “Black Manta will be back, and hopefully, he’ll be causing a lot more trouble than he did in the first one,” he teased.

Did the Aquaman 2 trailer come out?

Warner Bros released the first trailer of “Aquaman 2” or “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” during a presentation to CinemaCon audience members.

Who will play Mera in Aquaman 2?

A new trailer confirms Amber Heard is in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” During CinemaCon on Tuesday, which Insider attended, a trailer of the movie was shown. Heard’s Mera character appeared briefly in two shots

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