The tides have officially shifted for the King of Atlantis. Although Jason Momoa’s charismatic portrayal of Aquaman brought global acclaim and box office success, the future of the franchise looks increasingly uncertain. As of late April 2025, no active plans for an “Aquaman 3” exist under the new DC Universe (DCU) regime headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Instead, DC Studios is focusing on building a fresh, interconnected universe that pivots sharply away from the remnants of the old DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
A Bittersweet Farewell to the DCEU’s Aquaman
Released in December 2023, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom served as a swan song for the DCEU. Despite grossing an impressive $439 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing DCEU entry since the original Aquaman (2018), it fell short of matching its predecessor’s billion-dollar success. More critically, it was seen internally as the final chapter of a universe that often struggled with tonal inconsistencies, leadership changes, and box office unpredictability.
The finality was not just in the numbers. Marketing for The Lost Kingdom subtly acknowledged it as the end of an era, while insiders indicated that the film was always intended to conclude Arthur Curry’s cinematic arc—at least under the old guard.
The DCU’s New Wave: “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”
James Gunn and Peter Safran are determined to reboot the brand with a new vision titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. This blueprint lays the foundation for a DCU that is streamlined, coherent, and interconnected across film, television, and animation.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s ahead:
Upcoming Films
- Superman (July 11, 2025): Introducing a younger Clark Kent balancing his human and Kryptonian heritage.
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26, 2026): Milly Alcock stars in a grittier, space-faring Supergirl adaptation.
- Clayface (September 11, 2026): A horror-tinged take on the Batman villain, signaling DC’s embrace of genre diversity.
- The Authority: A morally ambiguous superhero team that challenges traditional ideas of heroism.
- The Brave and the Bold: Batman joins forces with his assassin-raised son, Damian Wayne.
- Swamp Thing: A horror-focused origin story directed by James Mangold.
New Television Projects
- Creature Commandos: An animated series that will bridge events into the live-action universe.
- Waller: A dark political thriller spin-off centered around Amanda Waller from Peacemaker.
- Lanterns: A cosmic detective series focusing on Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
- Booster Gold: A time-traveling, self-promoting hero who seeks legitimacy.
- Paradise Lost: A political drama set on Themyscira, predating Wonder Woman.
- Peacemaker Season 2 (August 21, 2025): Continuing Christopher Smith’s chaotic adventures.
- Blue Beetle Animated Series: Expanding on Jaime Reyes’ story introduced in the 2023 film.
This aggressive, genre-spanning lineup signals that DC Studios is prioritizing new characters and fresh mythologies, leaving little room for continuation of past iterations.
Jason Momoa’s Future at DC: Trading the Trident for a Spacehog?
Jason Momoa’s days as Aquaman appear numbered, but his days at DC are far from over. Momoa is strongly rumored—and all but confirmed—to transition to playing Lobo, the cigar-chomping, motorcycle-riding bounty hunter from the far reaches of the galaxy.
Momoa himself has expressed enthusiasm about this shift, calling Lobo a “dream role.” Reports indicate he will first appear in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow before potentially headlining his own Lobo-centered projects. While James Gunn has been diplomatic, he has strongly suggested that major actors will not hold two major live-action roles simultaneously in the DCU, further reinforcing the idea that Momoa’s Aquaman tenure is over.
James Wan and the Future of Aquaman
Director James Wan, who successfully brought both Aquaman films to life, has remained noncommittal about returning. Wan has emphasized that any involvement in a hypothetical Aquaman 3 would require creative autonomy, something that could be difficult within the tightly plotted DCU framework Gunn and Safran are designing. Given the current direction, even if Aquaman does reemerge someday, it would likely be with a different creative team—and possibly a different actor.
Likelihood of Aquaman 3: Realistically Slim
- No Active Development: No Aquaman 3 is in development under the DCU umbrella as of April 2025.
- DCEU is Over: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom concluded the DCEU, and the rebooted DCU is moving forward independently.
- Box Office Factors: While successful, the sequel didn’t justify the risk of maintaining older continuity.
- Momoa’s Transition to Lobo: Signals a new chapter for the actor at DC, away from the underwater hero.
- Creative Focus: Gunn and Safran are invested in building a completely unified, fresh slate of stories.
Final Thoughts
While fans of Jason Momoa’s Aquaman might find this turn of events bittersweet, it marks the start of a bold new era for DC storytelling. The new DCU seeks to shed the baggage of the past and craft a more cohesive, creatively daring universe. Characters like Superman, Supergirl, Batman (with Damian Wayne), and the Lanterns are taking center stage, while cosmic, horror, and political dramas expand the canvas far beyond traditional superhero fare.
Arthur Curry’s legacy as Aquaman remains intact, but for now, the trident has been laid to rest. The tide is bringing in a new generation of heroes—and it’s a wave DC fans should be ready to ride.
A Look Back At Aquaman 2
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, released in December 2023, brought back many familiar faces from the first film. Jason Momoa played Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, and Patrick Wilson returned as Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother. The story follows these former enemies as they form an unlikely alliance to confront Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who seeks revenge against Aquaman.
Amber Heard returned as Mera, but her role is reportedly smaller than in the first film. Other returning cast members include Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, and Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus. Randall Park also returned as Dr. Stephen Shin, adding humor to the underwater adventure. James Wan directed the sequel after the success of the first Aquaman movie.
While many cast members stayed the same, the story explored new underwater worlds and introduced fresh characters. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” features a buddy comedy dynamic between Arthur Curry and Orm as they deal with Black Manta’s quest for revenge. The film builds on existing character relationships while introducing new threats to Atlantis.
The Return of Arthur Curry
Jason Momoa returns as Arthur Curry, now fully embracing his role as the King of Atlantis. His character faces new challenges balancing royal duties with family life. The sequel shows Arthur’s growth since the first film, revealing a more mature hero who must protect both the surface world and his underwater kingdom.
Arthur’s journey becomes more complex when he’s forced to team up with his former enemy. This unexpected alliance brings out new dimensions in his character, highlighting his leadership qualities and willingness to make difficult choices.
The film explores Arthur’s connection to Atlantean history and how this shapes his decisions as king. His personal stakes in the conflict are heightened, making his character arc more compelling.
Mysteries of the Lost Kingdom
The Lost Kingdom forms the central mystery of the film’s plot. This ancient Atlantean realm holds secrets that could change the fate of underwater civilizations. The search for this legendary place drives much of the action and adventure in the story.
The mythology behind the Lost Kingdom ties into Atlantean history, particularly through the character of Atlan, portrayed by Vincent Regan. Ancient technologies and powers discovered there become central to the conflict.
The film uses the Lost Kingdom to expand the DC Extended Universe’s underwater world. New creatures, civilizations, and environments are introduced, creating a richer fantasy setting than the first movie.
Villains and Allies
Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, returns as the primary antagonist with an intensified vendetta against Aquaman. His character gains new powers and resources in his quest for revenge, making him a more formidable threat than before.
Patrick Wilson’s Orm (Ocean Master) undergoes significant development as he reluctantly joins forces with his half-brother Arthur. Their “bromance” relationship provides both emotional depth and comic relief throughout the film.
New characters include Stingray (Jani Zhao), Karshon (Indya Moore), and an undisclosed role played by Pilou Asbæk. These additions bring fresh dynamics to the story. The film also features returning allies like Mera (Amber Heard) and Queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), who support Arthur in facing these escalating threats.
Production Insights and Box Office Expectations
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faced numerous production challenges while expectations for its box office performance remain cautious following DC’s difficult 2023 theatrical run.
Behind the Scenes with James Wan and Crew
Director James Wan returned to helm the Aquaman sequel with David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick handling the screenplay. The production encountered several hurdles, including pandemic-related delays and extensive reshoots that reportedly altered significant portions of the original vision.
Warner Bros. invested heavily in the sequel, hoping to recapture the success of the first film which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. However, behind-the-scenes tensions emerged as the DC Extended Universe began transitioning to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Studios vision.
The film’s trailer revealed a darker tone than its predecessor, focusing on family dynamics between Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry and Patrick Wilson’s Orm. Production design emphasized underwater technology and expanded the visual universe of Atlantis despite rumored budget constraints.
Commercial Prospects and DCU Integration
Box office projections for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom appear modest compared to its predecessor. Analysts predict it might struggle to find an audience, potentially becoming only the third superhero film of 2023 to achieve reasonable commercial success.
The film faces the “2023 box office curse” that affected other DC releases, with projections suggesting a continuation of DC’s underwhelming theatrical performance this year. Industry experts note the challenging environment for superhero films in general.
Warner Bros. executives are carefully balancing expectations, knowing this represents one of the final entries in the original DCEU before Gunn and Safran’s reboot takes effect. The studio hopes strong international performance might offset domestic uncertainties.
The film’s success could influence how quickly certain characters might be integrated into the new DC Universe or potentially transition to Max subscription exclusives. This makes its commercial performance particularly significant beyond mere profit considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom features several returning cast members alongside new additions. The movie has already hit theaters and sparked discussions about its storyline, characters, and box office performance.
Who are the confirmed members of the Aquaman 2 cast?
Jason Momoa returns as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, the half-human, half-Atlantean hero and king of Atlantis. Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother who previously served as the main antagonist in the first film.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II returns as Black Manta, now seeking revenge against Aquaman. Amber Heard appears as Mera, though her role is reportedly smaller than in the first movie.
Other returning cast members include Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, and Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry.
What is the scheduled release date for Aquaman 2?
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released in theaters on December 22, 2023. The film arrived four years after the original Aquaman movie, which premiered in December 2018.
The sequel faced several delays during production due to various factors, including pandemic-related restrictions and scheduling conflicts.
Has there been an official Aquaman 2 trailer release?
Yes, Warner Bros. released official trailers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ahead of its December 2023 release. The trailers showcased the underwater kingdoms, action sequences, and the conflict with Black Manta.
The promotional materials highlighted the buddy adventure aspect between Arthur and Orm as they reluctantly team up against the common threat posed by Black Manta.
Are there any new additions to the cast in Aquaman 2?
Indya Moore joined the cast as Karshon, a character with shark-like abilities. Jani Zhao was cast as Stingray, an original character created for the film.
Vincent Regan portrays Atlan, the ancient ruler of Atlantis, replacing Graham McTavish who briefly appeared in the role in the first film. Pilou Asbæk, known for his role in Game of Thrones, also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.
What are the recent box office predictions for Aquaman 2?
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom underperformed at the box office compared to its predecessor. The first Aquaman film grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing DC film ever.
The sequel faced tougher competition and changing audience preferences. Industry analysts attribute the lower performance to various factors, including superhero movie fatigue and mixed critical reception.
Has the role of Mera been recast for the Aquaman sequel?
No, Amber Heard reprised her role as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. However, multiple reports indicate that her screen time and role in the sequel were significantly reduced compared to the first film.
This reduction came amid controversy surrounding Heard’s personal legal issues. Director James Wan stated that the sequel was always intended to focus more on the brotherhood between Arthur and Orm rather than the romantic storyline.
