In the upcomingAquamansequel, titledAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directorJames Wanhas confirmed thatWillem Dafoe, known for his role as Nuidis Vulko in the first film, will not be returning. In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, he revealed that this absence is primarily due to scheduling conflicts that couldn’t be resolved. While fans may miss Dafoe’s character, this development allowed Wan to explore a different narrative direction. Instead of Vulko, the film will place a significant emphasis on Atlanna’s role, portrayed by Nicole Kidman.
“Willem is not in this one, no. Part of the reason was because his schedule did not work out for us. But what that allowed me to do was expand on Atlanna’s role. Atlanna in this one ultimately becomes Arthur’s advisor. Because Arthur’s not from this world, she helps him better understand the world and the politics of how things work.”
The upcoming film offers a fresh adventure for Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry, presenting him with a new threat to his underwater kingdom that forces himinto an unexpected alliance with a former foe. While the movie has garnered significant anticipation, it hasn’t been without its share of speculation, with questions surrounding Amber Heard’s role and ongoing reports of rewrites and reshoots. However, the recent release of the teaser trailer has given audiences a sneak peek into the journey awaiting them, setting the stage for an action-packed cinematic experience. Check it out below.
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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a Standalone Bromance Adventure
In the ever-expanding world of the DC Extended Universe,Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomemerges as a standalone film, distinct from the interconnected nature that characterizes many superhero franchises. James Wan made it clear that even though it belongs to the DCEU, the sequel was designed to stand on its own, much like the comic book stories that inspired it. However, the pressure for the film to perform exceptionally well in the wake of several underperforming DCEU films has led to significant changes in its post-production phase.
Among the swirling rumors and speculation, one prominent aspect is Amber Heard’s role as Mera. Reports suggested her role might be recast or drastically reduced, particularly due to her legal battles with Johnny Depp, which had spilled into the public eye. In contrast to these speculations, Wan recently shed light on the matter in an interview, revealing that Mera was never intended to be a central focus in the sequel. Instead, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was conceived as abromance action-adventure, shifting the narrative spotlight onto Arthur and his half-brother Orm, portrayed by Patrick Wilson.
“I always pitched this to everyone from the get-go. The first ‘Aquaman’ was Arthur and Mera’s journey. The second movie was always going to be Arthur and Orm. So, the first was a romance action-adventure movie, the second one is a bromance action-adventure movie. We’ll leave it at that.”
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomis scheduled to make its theatrical debut on July 27, 2025.
