James Wan Says AQUAMAN Sequel Introduces Us To "Creepy, Scary, Lovecraftian" Villains
The first trailer for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom dropped yesterday and there seemed to be a lot more excitement over it than I expected. I saw a lot of positive reactions to the trailer, and that’s a good sign for the studio. I’m personally keeping expectations low because the first movie was mediocre and test screenings for the sequel have been horrible. So, if the movie actually turns out to be good… awesome!
James Wan is one of my favorite directors, and I especially love his horror movies. Aquaman is a different beast for him, though, and when it comes to this sequel, he’s looking to incorporate some of his horror sensibilities, like he did with the first movie and The Trench creatures.
In this next chapter of the story, he is looking to bring in some nightmarish villains that are inspired by the creatures of H.P. Lovecraft. During an interview with /Film, he said:
"I don't know how to stay away from horror, you guys. So the Lost Kingdom, we will be introduced to a lot of creepy, scary, Lovecraftian looking characters. And ultimately that's what our heroes have to work together to stop this Lovecraftian universe from breaking through into our own world."
That actually sounds really cool and I hope that Wan can effectively pull it off with the story that he wants to tell. The potential is there to deliver awesomeness with a concept like that. I would love nothing more than for this movie to be great! I hope Wan and his team give fans something great.
In the film, “Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all,” the official Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom synopsis reads. “This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.”
Jason Momoa stars as Aquaman in the movie and he’s joined by Patrick Wilson as Orm, Amber Heard as Mera, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Warner Bros. will release the film in theaters on December 20th.