The Aquaman franchise is set to embark on an exciting new journey, and at its helm is none other than the visionary director, James Wan. In an exclusive trailer-reveal event held recently in Los Angeles, Wan shared his ambitious vision for the future of Aquaman, expressing a keen interest in not only creating an Aquaman 3 but also expanding the series into a sprawling cinematic universe that explores every corner of the mystical realm of Atlantis.
A World of Endless Possibilities
James Wan, in an interview with GamesRadar+ and other members of the press, emphasized the paramount importance of world building in the Aquaman narrative. He underscored the uniqueness of the Aquaman films, which venture into uncharted territories compared to other superhero movies, asserting their standalone nature within the cinematic landscape.
“The Jason Momoa story as Aquaman definitely has more places to go. The world building is very important,” Wan stated. “We enjoy all the different worlds that no other superhero movies go into. That’s what’s so cool about the Aquaman films, it’s really standalone. It lives in its own universe.”
A Cinematic Odyssey: The Seven Kingdoms Universe
James Wan’s vision extends far beyond the confines of a single film or sequel. He envisions the creation of a Seven Kingdoms cinematic universe, an ambitious endeavor that would transport viewers to the diverse realms introduced in the first two films. Wan draws inspiration from cinematic legends Ray Harryhausen and Jules Verne, infusing the upcoming sequel with a retro aesthetic paying homage to the 1960s Silver Age comic book of Aquaman.
“Like the first movie, this one leans into the Ray Harryhausen spirit even more,” Wan continued. “There are shades of Jules Verne in this as well. As you can see in the trailer, I’m aesthetically leaning pretty heavily into the 1960s Silver Age comic book of Aquaman, so a lot of the designs in this film have a very retro feeling. The spirit and the tone is very retro. It is a little bit darker than the first movie, as second movies tend to be, which felt like the correct progression for this film.”
Aquaman's Role in the DC Universe Reboot
The question on many fans’ minds is whether Jason Momoa’s Aquaman will be a part of James Gunn’s DC Universe Reboot. The answer appears promising, as the success of the sequel is poised to determine Aquaman’s continued presence in the DCU. Jason Momoa himself has expressed his eagerness to reprise the role, assuring fans of the character’s significance in the DC universe.
“Peter [Safran]’s my producer [on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom], and is a dear friend,” Momoa confirmed. “I absolutely think Aquaman will be involved in the DCU. It’s on, bro – there’s no one bigger than Aquaman! But, also, I hope people are excited to see the new one. It’s fun. I really enjoy doing comedy. There’s some really funny stuff with Patrick Wilson. I really adore him. We had a great time working together. It’s like we’re brothers. There’s a lot of cool stuff happening in this one.”
James Wan’s ambitious vision for the Aquaman franchise promises an epic journey through the Seven Kingdoms of Atlantis and beyond. With a steadfast commitment to world building and an unwavering dedication to honoring the source material, Wan’s aspirations are poised to reshape the landscape of superhero cinema. As the release of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” draws nearer, fans can anticipate a darker yet equally enthralling chapter in Aquaman’s extraordinary saga.
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