'Aquaman' Villain Possibly Revealed, as James Wan Talks DC Superhero Universe
The DC Extended Universe has been getting a lot of attention lately, what with the recent home video release of the R-rated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition, last weekend’s record-breaking debut for Suicide Squad, and the San Diego Comic-Con premieres of the Wonder Woman and Justice League trailers. It’s enough to make a merman feel downright neglected — at least, that is, before yesterday, when new details finally emerged about the big-screen future of the comic-book king of the sea, Aquaman.
Set to be played by Jason Momoa in a 2018 film directed by The Conjuring and Furious 7’s James Wan, Aquaman will mark the first solo outing for DC’s aquatic hero. While audiences should get a clearer idea of what Warner Bros. and DC have in store for the character in 2017’s Justice League — which will see Aquaman recruited by Ben Affleck’s Batman — we’ve gotten a new report about who he might face in the stand-alone saga. Per The Wrap, he’ll reportedly be pitted against Black Manta, the villain that was first introduced in print in 1967 and in DC’s recent “New 52” line. He’s been reimagined as a powers-free man who dons a suit in order to exact revenge against Aquaman for accidentally killing his father.
Warner Bros. has yet to confirm this story, though given that Black Manta is the most recognizable and popular of Aquaman’s adversaries, it seems reasonably credible. James Wan had nothing to say about the character while appearing yesterday at the Television Critics Association to promote CBS’ reboot of MacGyver (which he’s producing), though — per Collider — he did let slip a few details about his upcoming underwater superhero movie:
“Up until recently, I’ve just been super busy wrapping up all things The Conjuring 2 related, and then promoting [the horror movie he produced] Lights Out. Now that that’s out of the way, I can finally focus on everything Aquaman related. It’s been good. It’s been really creatively diving myself — no pun intended — into the world of Aquaman and taking that on board, and seeing the world that Aquaman is now a part of, with Justice League coming up, and taking that and respecting that world that everyone has collectively created. It’s about honoring that world, but also, at the same time, making my own movie, as well.”
Wan also said that he’s been given “a lot of leeway to create and craft my story,” and that he’s really enjoying collaborating with Justice League director Zack Snyder and DC Films head honcho Geoff Johns on integrating his project into the larger universe. And as for those negative reviews of BvS and Suicide Squad?
“I just try to focus on mine. I try to focus on the positive. I focus on what I think I can create the best character, create the best story and make the best movie. That’s all you can do. I try to listen to what’s going on around me, and I think it’ important but at the end of the day, I have to be the one to make those decisions.”
You can read Wan’s entire thoughts on Aquaman over at Collider. His film is set for a July 27, 2018 release. Meanwhile, Justice League lands in theaters on Nov. 17, 2017.
Watch the ‘Justice League’ trailer:
