Director James Wan Says Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom Is ‘An Outright Buddy Comedy’

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan teases the DC superhero film’s sequel is going to be an “outright buddy comedy.” The original film introduced Jason Momoa as the main protagonist, a half-Atlantean and half-human who possesses hydrokinesis ability to manipulate tides, communicate with aquatic creatures, and swim at supersonic speed owing to his superhuman strength and durability. Although reluctant to become the king of the underwater Atlantis, he was pitted against his half-brother Patrick Wilson’s King Orm, a full Atlantean.

Orm, a self-proclaimed eco-warrior held a massive grudge against humanity, considering how aquatic species face the brunt of climate change and ocean acidification. Seeking to unite the seven underwater sea kingdoms and become the ultimate Ocean Master, Orm wages a war against the surface world. With the intention to protect the world of his father, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman challenges Orm for the throne and turns victorious in the first film. Now, the second installment features past foes turning friends.

During an interaction with Empire magazine, director James Wan said, “From the start, I pitched that the first film would be a Romancing The Stone-type thing – an action-adventure romantic comedy – while the second would be an outright buddy comedy. I wanted to do Tango & Cash!” The filmmaker draws a comparison between Jason and Patrick’s equation in the film to that of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black.

In the upcoming film, Aquaman will be pitted against Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s returning Black Manta. The sequel picks up right where the original film left off. “It’s like they’re one big movie. If you watch them back-to-back, they roll right into each other,” confirmed James Wan. Black Manta, a ruthless high-seas mercenary, was only a glorified side character in the first film. He uses an Atlantean armoured suit and wields the powerful Black Trident, which he intends to kill Aquaman with in the sequel film.

The put an end to his reign of terror, Aquaman forms an unlikely alliance with his half-brother. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will show how the duo will protect the underwater world from Black Manta’s irreversible destruction.

The DC film will take over the theatres on December 20.