Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Final film in the DC Extended Universe.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, released in 2023, is an American superhero film based on the DC Comics character. It was directed by James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. As the sequel to the 2018 film *Aquaman*, it also serves as the fifteenth and final installment in the DC Extended Universe. Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, who teams up with his half-brother Orm, portrayed by Patrick Wilson, to stop Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Black Manta aims to kill Arthur’s family and use the cursed Black Trident to raise global temperatures, all while searching for the lost seventh underwater kingdom. Supporting roles are filled by Amber Heard, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Martin Short, and Nicole Kidman. Wan produced the film alongside Peter Safran and Rob Cowan for Warner Bros. Pictures.
Momoa pitched a story for a sequel during the production of the first film. Wan initially did not want to rush a follow-up after the original’s commercial success but agreed to oversee development in January 2019. Johnson-McGoldrick signed on as screenwriter a month later, and Wan was confirmed as director in August 2020. He stated the film would expand the world of Aquaman, adopt a more serious tone, and address themes like climate change. However, the final version is a buddy comedy between Aquaman and Orm, inspired by the Silver Age of Comics and featuring a retro science-fiction style reminiscent of animator Ray Harryhausen’s work and 1960s horror films, particularly *Planet of the Vampires* (1965). Wan announced the sequel’s title in June 2021, with principal photography starting that same month and ending in January 2022. Filming locations included the United Kingdom, Hawaii, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and additional work in New Zealand. Multiple reshoots occurred between July 2022 and June 2023, altering the storyline and reducing some actors’ roles, including Heard’s, whose involvement sparked controversy during production.
The film premiered at a fan event at the Grove in Los Angeles on December 19, 2023, and was released in the United States on December 22. It received negative reviews from critics and earned $440 million worldwide against a production budget of $205–215 million.
Four years after becoming king of Atlantis, Arthur Curry has married Mera and has a son, Arthur Jr., splitting his tim
- release_year
- 2023
- director
- James Wan
- screenwriter
- David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
- production_companies
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- budget
- $205–215 million
- box_office
- $440 million worldwide
- genre
- Superhero film
Lore & Background
The film was developed after Jason Momoa pitched a story for an Aquaman sequel during the first film's production. James Wan, who did not want to rush a sequel after the first film's commercial success, agreed in January 2019 to oversee development. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick signed on to return as screenwriter a month later, and Wan was confirmed as director in August 2020. Wan said the film would expand on Aquaman's worldbuilding, have a more serious tone, and feature themes such as climate change. However, the final product is presented as a buddy comedy between Aquaman and Orm, inspired by the Silver Age of Comic Books with a retro science fiction vibe similar to the works of animator Ray Harryhausen and horror films of the 1960s, specifically Planet of the Vampires (1965).
Reader's Guide
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom premiered at a fan event at the Grove, Los Angeles on December 19, 2023, and was released in the United States on December 22. The film received negative reviews from critics and grossed $440 million worldwide against a production budget of $205–215 million. Its significance lies in being the final installment of the DC Extended Universe, concluding a series of interconnected films that began in 2013. The production was marked by controversy over Amber Heard's involvement, with several of her scenes cut during reshoots. The film's plot involves themes of climate change and family, as Arthur Curry balances his duties as king of Atlantis with his role as a father. The buddy comedy dynamic between Aquaman and his former enemy Orm was a notable departure from the initially planned serious tone.
Did You Know?
- The film was inspired by the Silver Age of Comic Books and the works of animator Ray Harryhausen.
- Several reshoots took place between July 2022 and June 2023 to alter the storyline.
- Amber Heard's role was reduced during reshoots, and her involvement was the subject of controversy during production.
- The film's budget was $205–215 million, and it grossed $440 million worldwide.
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