5 Most Important Takeaways From the Aquaman 2 Trailer Teaser
Here's what to expect plot-wise from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
As the second instalment of the Aquaman franchise, titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is set to be the final film in Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe, its December 20 premiere is surrounded by much controversy. Naturally, the first-look teaser for the film, released yesterday, has sparked heated debate.
But let's put DC's internal politics aside and look at what the new teaser is actually about, the plot and twists of the upcoming long-awaited movie. Here's what we can expect from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, judging by the new 30-second clip.
Black Manta is the main antagonist
The character of Black Manta is one of the most popular supervillains in the DC Universe and has appeared on screen several times. The version played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen had a major role in the first Aquaman movie. And now he returns as the main antagonist.
To recap, in the first movie, Abdul-Mateen's David Kane was a ruthless pirate and tech inventor who, along with his father, was hired to do dirty work for the powerful and wealthy. When Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry killed his father while trying to stop one of their crimes, Kane swore revenge and reinvented himself as Black Manta.
He attacked Arthur, but was defeated and thrown off a cliff. However, the mid-credits scene showed Dr. Stephen Shin saving the character.
The stakes are high
In the video, Black Manta says, ‘I'm gonna kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear.’
Those words, along with a few shots of colourful underwater action, including a glimpse of the Aquaman vs. Black Manta fight scene, could mean that the entirety of Atlantis will have to deal with Kane's technologically advanced army in the upcoming film. The stakes are certainly high.
Tom Curry could die
The teaser includes a moment where Arthur runs in desperation towards the burning remains of his father's house.
As much as we loved that Tom Curry survived the first movie, it looks like he will be killed by Black Manta in the second. This will bring Arthur closer to his comic book counterpart's arc and play out the eye-for-an-eye revenge trope.
Orm is back
The short clip has a moment where Patrick Wilson's Orm aka Ocean Master is thrown by an octopus-like tanker. This certainly means that Arthur's half-brother is still in the game after being taken into Atlantean custody at the end of the previous movie.
It is not clear, however, how Orm will be released and for which side he will fight in the new war.
The movie will have new locations
While the first film had numerous locations, the sequel will be just as diverse. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will reportedly feature underwater caves, icebergs, and tropical locales, a glimpse of which can be seen in the very first teaser moment when Arthur comes ashore.