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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom probably won’t touch the $1 billion its predecessor did. When Aquaman was released in 2018, it had the surface appearance of newness. Critics who didn’t understand the adult gloom of director Zack Snyder‘s darker take on DC movies found it refreshing. Thus, the upbeat, colorful MCU-esque elements of Aquaman appealed to them.
Despite that, Aquaman swam better overseas. In the U.S. and Canada, Aquaman caught $335.1 million. While an impressive number, it reached new heights internationally with $813.4 million. Although it featured SnyderVerse actors in Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Amber Heard’s Mera, the previous Warner Bros. regime were convinced by its success in going the other direction. Less brooding and more popcorn adventure.
But then ex-husband Johnny Depp’s allegations of domestic abuse against Heard hit the tabloids. Then the court, wherein Heard lost his case against her. Then it all hit the fan. Since that time, all hype for the Aquaman sequel sunk like the Titanic after once reaching high tide with YouTube personality Syl Abdul’s confirmed scoop that Ben Affleck’s Batman would appear in the movie.
Alas, the newly formed DC Studios removed it because of the upcoming reboot. In other words, one of Lost Kingdom‘s most exciting additions, something that could fill in more seats, was stripped from it.
The air was sucked out of the hype. Also, the idea of the filmmakers leaving in the vastly unpopular Heard but taking out Affleck after his trending cameo in The Flash is a painful irony.
Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios made quite the splash at this year’s CinemaCon. The Flash held it’s worldwide premiere at the event and the immediate reactions were out of this world. In addition, the studio also gave attendees the first look at Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Aquaman 2 Unlikely To Touch $1 Billion
Image: Instagram
It has been subjected to heaps of bad press this past year. Rumored test screenings reportedly saw certain viewers walking out. Those who stayed until the credits rolled gave the film the lowest score that the DCEU has ever seen.
The stench of Heard’s damaged reputation certainly hasn’t helped. She’s become a pariah in Hollywood. That is, if she’s actually coming back to Hollywood.
Don’t expect her to return in James Gunn’s DCU. Nonetheless, there’s still an audience for Aquaman’s next solo outing. Probably overseas again. After all, the first movie became the highest-grossing DCEU film of all time.
A description of the footage shown at CinemaCon has made its way online. The story teases an unlikely alliance between Aquaman and his villainous maternal half-brother Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson). This was confirmed to be a major plot point of the movie by former DC Films president Walter Hamada during production.
Momoa and Wilson shared an entertaining sibling chemistry in Aquaman. Expanding upon this in the sequel was a no-brainier. It’s clear that their relationship has evolved over the years with Ocean Master saying during a fight:
“Nobody hits my brother… except for me.”
Furthermore, it also hints at a potential tragedy for the half-Atlantean superhero as he’s seen raising a child alone. This has led to speculation that Amber Mera is grievously injured or even killed during the first act.
There’s even a possibility that Mera could die in childbirth, making Aquaman a widower.
Aquaman 2 Unlikely To Touch $1 Billion
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Cynically speaking, seeing Heard’s character perish might sell some tickets considering the animosity towards her. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Gunn won’t continue this universe.
Before the teaser ends we hear Ocean Master say to his former rival:
“If you lead, Atlantis will follow.”
We then see Aquaman and arch-nemesis Black Manta lunge at each other in what looks to be an epic showdown. For these actors, possibly the final time.