Minor spoilers for DC Studios’ Supergirl lie ahead.

When it comes to superhero movies, Jason Momoa holds a sweet distinction, as one of a group of actors who’ve been able to play two prominent roles. Momoa was hired to play Aquaman years ago as part of the DC Extended Universe and, in 2024, the fan-favorite actor achieved his dream of being cast as Lobo in the DCU. These particular versions of the DC characters do have their similarities, and even their first on-screen appearances are similar. Momoa is also aware of those parallels, and he shared a funny take with CinemaBlend.

The first sighting of Arthur Curry (Aquaman) in the DCEU technically comes in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice via footage glimpsed by Diana Prince. However, his formal debut happens in Justice League and, an early scene shows him chugging down a beer at a bar at an Icelandic village. And, funny enough, Lobo’s DCU debut in Supergirl sees him enjoying a drink at a bar on the planet Bilquis, where he encounters Kara Zor-El and Ruthye Marye Knoll. CinemaBlend had the chance to ask Momoa if the similarities of these debuts were intentional, and he jokingly refuted that notion with a perfect quip:

It’s true that Momoa has played plenty of characters who’ve enjoyed a good brew now and then. Superhero movie fans would likely agree with me when I say that the A-lister’s DC characters are particularly strong drinkers. I love this comment from Momoa, because it indicates the level of self-awareness he has when it comes not only to his characters but his own on-screen persona as a whole. Still, the star stressed that he was not responsible for Lobo and Arthur’s beverage choices:

What we have here is an actor who’s committed to his craft and, with that, he’s found considerable success. In terms of DC, Momoa’s profile rose after Aquaman earned more than $1 billion worldwide following its release in 2018. Momoa subsequently spoke about finding “baffling” levels of fame due to the movie’s success. Still, he’s apparently been able to handle the fame well, and what he appreciates is that it’s happening later in life. Momoa is specifically grateful that he’s become busy years after having been able to be with his kids during their formative years.

More recently, Momoa has been revelling in his Lobo casting, and he’s also spoken about the amount of work it took to transform him into the Czarnian bounty hunter. As it stands, Momoa seems keen on playing the role for the foreseeable future, though he said he’d only do a Lobo solo film if it were R-rated. Momoa also spoke about the prospect of someone playing Aquaman in the DCU. While he initially joked about taking that person out, he expressed openness to seeing that recasting.

Regardless of who plays the King of Atlantis next, I’d like to think fans won’t forget Jason Momoa’s take on the character and, so far, fans seem to dig his take on Lobo as well. Here’s hoping the cigar-smoking alien will return sooner rather than later and that he’ll continue to enjoy a good drink here and there. For right now, though, check out his DCU debut in Supergirl, which is now playing in theaters alongside other 2026 movie schedule releases. And stream both Justice League and Aquaman using an HBO Max subscription.

The superhero genre continues to be super popular, and fans who have watched the DC movies in order know that Jason Momoa's got a new character. Following his tenure as Aquaman (streaming with an HBO Max subscription), he's debuting as Lobo in Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. He's been doing press to promote the new DC movie, and no, he doesn't think it's cringe to ask him about his first time putting on a comic book movie costume.

Momoa's Lobo debuted in Supergirl's trailer, and immediately made a splash among fans. The Game of Thrones alum has always wanted to play the cosmic bounty hunter, and now it's his chance. While speaking with Fandango about his new DC role, the journalist interviewing him admitted she hates asking actors about slipping into their costume for the first time, but had to considering Lobo's badass look. Momoa responded with:

It certainly sounds like the hulking actor appreciates this question, and the transformative nature of using costumes and props when playing comic book roles in particular. Jason Momoa's passion for Lobo has been obvious for years now, and it sounds like once he was suited up as the DC antihero it was an especially significant experience. I just I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see Momoa's reaction.

In addition to his badass costume and cosmic motorcycle, Jason Momoa also had to sit for hours of prosthetic makeup, teeth, and color contacts in order to transform into his new DC role. In the same interview he spoke about the way this helped him slip into character, offering:

Luckily for fans, the wait is over, and we can finally see Jason Momoa in all his glory as Lobo. We'll just have to see if he gets the R-rated solo movie that he'd like to do after Supergirl. Fingers crossed.

Supergirl is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. The DCU is slowly growing, and it should be fascinating to see how the blockbuster influences future projects like Man of Tomorrow.

Hide your women, money, and booze, because Lobo is coming to a galaxy near you. Specifically, the Czarnian anti-hero will roll up in theaters in the upcoming DCU movie Supergirl, with Jason Momoa donning all that make-up and leather. This obviously isn’t the actor’s first DC role — that was the far more tanned Aquaman, a character that has yet to be recast for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s cinematic universe. How would Momoa react if and when another actor steps in?

As seen in the video above, he had a hilarious answer locked and loaded when CinemaBlend asked for his take in our Supergirl chat. In his words:

The Game of Thrones veteran was joking, of course. Or maybe he meant "taken out...to a classy restaurant to celebrate the news that I fully support." Wink-wink.

Momoa continued, making it clear he knows anything and everything's in play at this point.

If anything's possible, then I have quite a few wishes to bring up involving Batman, Wonder Woman, and that since-defunct Arkham Asylum TV show. But let's keep this wishing focused on Jason Momoa characters.

Could Momoa's Lobo And Aquaman Ever Share The Screen?

Peacemaker set several precedents for DCEU characters to reappear within DC Studios projects, and while Jason Momoa's casting as Lobo seemed to confirm that the DCU would bring a new actor in to play Arthur Curry in the future, that doesn't have to be the case, right? When CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic asked if Momoa's Lobo could ever appear opposite his Aquaman, he shared:

Momoa then went a little deeper into the logic behind why it wouldn't exactly break reality for Gunn and Safran to potentially keep him in the mix for any Aquaman appearances. As he put it:

Supergirl star Milly Alcock took over the role of Kara for Craig Gillespie’s film (and that lush-ious Superman cameo), having replaced the heartbroken Flash actress Sasha Calle. So it’s hard to know what the case would be with other characters.

All things considered, I wouldn’t expect the DCU to rush into another live-action Aquaman feature anyway, so it might be a moot point. But I could certainly see Arthur showing up for a smaller role in a team-based movie, or whatever the situation, and having someone already established like Momoa would only help. (Also allowed: Alan Ritchson reprising his Smallville role.)

Even outside of Aquaman-related concerns, it’s also unknown if and when we’ll see Momoa’s Main Man again in the DCU, but we do know a Lobo popcorn bucket set for release when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26, 2026. See it!

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes currently in play. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order have been treated to the newly formed DCU, courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. The next upcoming DC movie is Supergirl, which features both Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa. And they recently gave somewhat similar comments about playing Supergirl and Aquaman, respectively.

Supergirl's trailer debuted Jason Momoa's Lobo, but in the previous DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) he was Arthur Curry aka Aquaman. In a conversation with ET, he reflected on being cast as the aquatic hero, offering:

Talk about a big secret. As the actor put it, he was largely known for playing Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones prior to landing the role of Aquaman. And while getting that gig was major, he had to keep it under wraps due to the secretive nature of the DCEU at the time. I'm sure he'd rather be screaming to the rooftops about the fact that he would be joining the Justice League.

Later in the same interview, the Wrecking Crew actor spoke about the nerves associated with bringing Aquaman to life in live-action. As he put it:

He's not wrong. Aquaman was a punch line for years prior to Jason Momoa bringing his hulking physicality and signature charisma to the role. But his tenure as the character was ultimately a success that fans responded to. And in addition to his role in Justice League, the Aquaman movie became the highest-grossing DCEU flick upon its release. Now that role is in the rear view, and instead he's playing Lobo, who is a character that seems very close to who the 46-year-old actor is.

What Milly Alcock Said About Playing Supergirl

Funny enough, Jason Momoa's comments about his Aquaman nerves actually sound similar to what his Supergirl co-star Milly Alcock said about playing Kara Zor-El in the newly formed DCU. She recently admitted:

Comic book fans are known for making their opinions known, so it sounds like Alcock is a big nervous about how they'll react to Supergirl. This is a huge gig for the actress, who coincidentally also became known thanks to a Game of Thrones role. I have to wonder if she and Momoa shared stories about Westeros on set.

We'll be able to see these two actors share the big screen when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. The pressure is on, especially since it's only the second movie in the DCU.

The superhero genre is showing no signs of slowing down, but things are changing on the DC side of things. After the DCEU ended with Aquaman 2 (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription), the new co-CEO James Gunn crafted a new shared universe. Jason Momoa will enter the franchise in the upcoming DC movie Supergirl as Lobo, and he recently compared the two universes (and his possible future as his new character). Let's break it all down.

Fans who watched the DC movies in order saw Momoa do the impossible: making Aquaman actually cool. But he's going from hero to antihero in Supergirl, finally playing the role of Lobo in the process. In a conversation with ScreenRant, he explained a big difference in his experience during the DCU and DCEU, offering:

This certainly sounds like a different experience. With the DCEU, Zack Snyder was originally followed a five-movie plan for the shared universe. Momoa debut as Aquaman in a cameo during Batman v Superman, before getting his grand entrance in Justice League and eventually his pair of solo movies. He always knew this was the strategy, but the Game of Thrones actor's future as Lobo is more unclear.

Later in the same interview, which is promoting his new movie The Wrecking Crew, Jason Momoa went on to share how his possible future as Lobo will depend on the fans, and how Supergirl ultimately does in theaters. As he put it:

What we know about Supergirl is limited, but Momoa's inclusion is one reason why anticipation for Craig Gillespie's blockbuster has been steadily increasing. The Supergirl trailer debuted the character, while some new footage revealed Lobo's full design. But how long the 46 year-old actor is able to play the cosmic bounty hunter remains to be seen.

Exactly how big his role will be in Supergirl is unclear, but it sounds like Momoa had a blast bringing the character to life. He teased what's to come in the DC flick, saying:

We'll have to wait to learn about what this "gnarly" scene contains, but I'm eager to see what Lobo is up to in Supergirl. Fans have wanted to see the character on the big screen for years, especially with Jason Momoa portraying him. It certainly looks like the project will be very different than Superman, which was set on Earth and featured David Corenswet's hopeful and kind protagonist. Instead, we'll be getting a drunken Kryptonian played by Milly Alcock.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get more footage of Lobo in action sooner rather than later.

The recent release of the Supergirl trailer is getting fans excited for the new film. Not only is this because it will mark the first movie based on the character since 1984, but it will also bring Jason Momoa back into the fold of the DC Universe, but in an entirely different role. He’ll be playing intergalactic mercenary Lobo rather than Aquaman, which, as the man once said, is the role he always thought he was playing at the beginning.

Jason Momoa Thought He Would Play Lobo Before He Played Aquaman

Back in 2023, alongside the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the swan song of the previous DC Extended Universe, Jason Momoa spoke openly about his belief that when he was originally called in to talk about appearing in the franchise, he would be playing Lobo. Now, with our first look at Lobo in the Supergirl trailer, the video is making the rounds again, getting reposted nearly everywhere because now Momoa as Lobo is real. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out below (via Fandango).

Momoa explains that after auditioning for the role of Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, he was called in to talk to Warner Bros. Since Ben Affleck had already been announced as the Caped Crusader he assumed they wanted him to play the villain, and since, as Momoa himself points out, he looks absolutely right to play Lobo, he assumed that was the deal.

He admits he didn’t think playing Aquaman was the right role for him, but once it was explained to him, he bought in. Aquaman would cameo in Dawn of Justice before appearing in Justice League and two Aquaman movies, the first of which is still the highest-grossing DC movie ever made.

“They Called”

Jason Momoa said in the above video that if he were ever asked to play Lobo, he would be there. It wasn’t even very long after James Gunn and Peter Safran were officially announced as the new co-heads of DC Studios that Momoa posted a cryptic video that indicated that he’d had a meeting with them, and the result was something very exciting. A year ago, it was confirmed that the actor would be playing Lobo in Supergirl.

It’s not surprising that so many people are resharing this video right now. It’s not uncommon for fans to decide that a particular actor would be perfect for a certain role, or for the actor themself to talk about wanting to play a particular character. It is, however, somewhat rare for it to actually happen. Jason Momoa is clearly excited to be playing the role he always thought he’d have. We’ll get to see how well it works when Supergirl hits theaters next summer.

These days, Alan Ritchson is best known for starring in the action series Reacher and movies like Fast X and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. But long before those projects, he left his mark on the DC Comic TV space by first playing Aquaman in a few Smallville episodes, then Hawk in Titans Season 1 through 3. Ritchson has now confirmed he’s in talks for a role in the DC Universe franchise, and I’m living for how he described the kind of character we could see him play in an upcoming DC movie and/or upcoming DC TV show.

While promoting his 2025 movie Play Date, which premieres to Amazon Prime Video subscription-holders next week, Ritchson confirmed to ScreenRant that he has been in discussions about joining the DCU. He had this to say about whether he’d want to play a hero again or a villain instead:

It's good Alan Ritchson’s talks with DC Studios are going well so far, but now I’m eager to learn what role he’d be playing if this ends up working out. After playing two superheroes, I can’t say I blame him for wanting to tackle a character who doesn’t fit that traditional mold. However, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that Hawk, a.k.a. Hank Hall was messy to a degree during his time on Titans, from his complicated relationship with Dawn Granger, a.k.a. Dove, and his more brutal methods of dealing with criminals.

Given his star power, I think it’s safe to say that if Alan Ritchson joins the DCU, it would either be as a leading character for a specific project or as a key supporting character in someone else’s project whom he’d be able to continue playing. For the latter, think along the lines of how Jason Momoa is debuting as Lobo in Supergirl. Of course, there’s no shortage of fans who’ve thought Ritchson would be a good fit to play the DCU’s Batman, and DC Studios co-head James Gunn at least sounds open to that casting. Just don’t expect Ritchson to play a new version of Aquaman.

While we wait to see if anything comes from Alan Ritchson’s conversations with DC Studios, feel free to revisit his prior superhero roles by streaming Smallville and Titans with you Hulu subscription and HBO Max subscription, respectively. Otherwise, catch him getting into action-heavy hijinks with Kevin James in Play Date starting Wednesday, November 12.

The comic book genre continues to be wildly popular, although things have been changing on the DC side of things. The DCEU (which is streaming in its entirety with a HBO Max subscription) is over, and co-CEO James Gunn has already released the first three installments of the new DC Universe. But fans are still unpacking the previous one, and it turns out that Jason Momoa had a five-word response when landing the role of Aquaman.

The new DCU's first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and Momoa is set to play a new role with Lobo. But he's still synonymous with playing Aquaman, and making the somewhat silly character into a hulking badass. But during an interview with The New York Times, the 46 year-old actor recalled his first reaction to getting the gig, thinking:

Honestly, can you blame him? DC was taking a risk trying to form its own shared universe, and Aquaman isn't as beloved as other heroes like Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman. After debuting in Justice League, Momoa got his own solo movie, directed by James Wan. But rather than failing, Aquaman became the highest grossing DCEU movie. So luckily he wasn't "screwed" at all.

The success of Aquaman after Justice League's theatrical cut failed to impress was a much-needed boon for the DCEU, and Momoa would end up reprising his role a number of times throughout the shared universe. That includes his Peacemaker cameo, and (of course) his sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Unfortunately, the latter didn't find the same success as its predecessor, mostly because it was the final chapter in a dead shared universe, with moviegoers finding it less imperative to watch as a result.

While the Game of Thrones alum's career as Aquaman went on with a whimper, there's a silver lining: he finally gets to play the cosmic antihero Lobo. What we know about Supergirl is limited, but Momoa has been confirmed to appear in the upcoming DC movie. It's a character he's super passionate about, and I can't wait to see how he factors into the next DC blockbuster.

Exactly what James Gunn has planned for the DCU is a mystery, and I'm very curious to see if/when another actor takes on the role of Aquaman in the burgeoning shared universe. What's more, it would be thrilling if Jason Momoa's Lobo end sup coming face to face with that hero. But at the time of writing this story there's no indication as to when the aquatic hero might debut.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Momoa will make his first appearance as Lobo in the process, so get ready for his return to the superhero genre.

The new DCU under James Gunn is in full swing. The first big-screen adventure was a hit with Superman to the point that the sequel has already been announced, and Man of Tomorrow has a release date in less than two years. The future of things looks bright, which means that the eventual casting of some major DC heroes is likely very close. Alan Ritchson has already become a popular casting choice for Batman among fans, but it seems he’s not willing to take just any role.

The choice of Reacher’s Alan Ritchson to play the DCU’s official Batman in the forthcoming The Brave and the Bold has been something of a viral sensation. He’s been put in the Batuit in fan art, and the actor has made it clear that he’s potentially interested in playing Batman if it were to come his way. However, while he’s willing to be Batman, he tells Liamlovesmovies (via DCUPRIMETV) that he’s not interested in playing Aquaman. He said…

To be fair, Ritchson wouldn’t be taking anything from Jason Momoa, as he has left Aquaman behind and will appear as Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl movie. Still, it sounds like the Reacher star wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of Momoa. The pair worked together on Fast X with Ritchson playing the henchman to Momoa’s supervillain, so they clearly know each other.

Aquaman is one character that we haven’t heard much about when it comes to upcoming DC movies. While he’s a major name, and Jason Momoa’s time in the role certainly made him a success given the first Aquaman movie being a monster hit, we have no real expectations for when that character might appear. Although it certainly seems likely he will.

With an entirely new cinematic universe just getting underway, there are sure to be a lot of major roles that need filling, and even if there are some roles Alan Ritchson isn’t interested in, there are almost certainly multiple roles he would say yes to. The Batman part may not even be on the table for quite some time. While Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II now has a script and will be filming soon, the DCU Batman movie is apparently in limbo. While there are still plans for it to happen, it doesn’t appear to be progressing very quickly.

Alan Ritchson’s star is only continuing to rise, so whether or not he actually joins the DCU or not, it’s all but certain there will be some major franchise roles on offer in the future if he wants them. And if he actually gets offered Aquaman it perhaps he might reconsider. I’m sure Jason Momoa would be cool with it.

When it comes to superhero movies, Patrick Wilson has built himself a rather cool legacy. He first dipped his toe in the genre playing Dan Dreiberg a.k.a. Night Owl II in Zach Snyder's Watchmen, and he also has the distinction of being one of the few actors with two different roles in the DC Extended Universe: he voices the president of the United States in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and he plays Orm in the two Aquaman blockbusters. Given that history, could he potentially have a future in the blossoming DC Universe?

While nothing can be confirmed on that front, it at least can be said that conversations have been had about that possibility. Wilson has recently been doing interviews promoting the release of the upcoming horror movie The Conjuring: Last Rites, and he was asked by ComicBook.com about whether or not he has had the chance to talk about the DCU with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. The actor noted that while he has never met the Superman writer/director, he has worked closely with Gunn's co-CEO Peter Safran (who is a producer on the Conjuring franchise). And with that being said, he's not sure there is a whole lot more that he wants to "say" with Orm as a character:

In support of Patrick Wilson's point, audiences have seen his incarnation of Orm go through a full arc. In the first Aquaman, he is very much the villain, and after his plan to conquer the seas fails, he is thrown in prison. In Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, the character is provided with a full redemption, and he partners with the titular hero to help save the world from a dangerous evil.

But what about other characters? Given that Jason Momoa is playing Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl, the door certainly seems open for that possibility – even as some DCEU carryover has been reflected in Peacemaker Season 2. Patrick Wilson says that he has talked about the possibility with Peter Safran, but for right now, he is looking to step away from the business for a minute:

The good news for Patrick Wilson is that the DC Universe is planning to be around for a while, so when he's ready, it will potentially be ready to give him an exciting part. As of right now, the only two movies on the immediate horizon are the aforementioned Supergirl and the R-rated Clayface, but there are a number of other projects currently in various stages of development.

On the Patrick Wilson front, audiences will next be able to see him in The Conjuring: Last Rites, which will be in theaters everywhere next Friday, September 5. And if you need a dose of the DCU immediately, Max subscribers can watch both Creature Commandos Season 1 and the debut episode of Peacemaker Season 2, and James Gunn's Superman just recently entered the home video market and is now available for digital rental/purchase from all major online outlets.

The superhero genre continues to be popular, with a number of shared universes competing at the box office. Co-CEO James Gunn is crafting a new DC Universe, with the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. There are countless questions about upcoming DC movies, including what characters are canon. So does Aquaman exist in this new shared universe? Gunn offered his perspective.

The Guardians filmmaker is currently gearing up for Peacemaker Season 2, which will help expand the DCU. The first movie Superman featured a number of other heroes, but it's unclear what the plan is for Aquaman. While on the Peacemaker podcast, Gunn was asked about about the character formerly played by Jason Momoa, and he said:

Well, that was confusing. James Gunn is at the head of the DC Universe, so you'd think he'd have all the answers regarding its future. While he doesn't think that Aquaman exists in the DCU, it sounds like it's not totally decided just yet. We'll just have to be patient and see what happens down the line.

This news might be a head scratcher for some fans, especially since Jason Momoa's Aquaman cameod in Peacemaker Season 1. But that was technically a different shared universe, so Gunn is able to do whatever he wants with the aquatic hero. Although I don't expect the Game of Thrones alum to play that role again.

Later in that same podcast, Gunn clarified what he meant by saying that Aquaman doesn't exist in the DCU. As he put it:

It looks like Arthur Curry might exist, but he's not a famous superhero going by the name Aquaman in the DC Universe. Only time will tell when we see that hero again, and what Gunn and company might have planned for him.

As previously mentioned, fans are expecting another actor to play this hero if/when he returns to the screen. Jason Momoa is going to play the cosmic antihero Lobo in the DCU, so his time as Aquaman has seemingly come to an end. And it would definitely be trippy to see Momoa interacting with the new Aquaman in a future DC project. Hey, a guy can dream!

There are countless questions about what's going on at DC, as James Gunn and company craft an interconnected franchise that spans TV shows, movies, and video games. Superman killed at the box office, so things are definitely starting off with a bang.

Superman is in theaters now and Peacemaker will begin Season 2 on August 21st as part of the TV premiere list. Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl are confirmed to appear, so we'll have to see what other crossovers occur throughout its second batch of episodes.

Even those who enjoy fun comic book movies featuring a villain you love to hate would probably agree that the absolute best superhero movies have a bad guy who makes you think twice. While you may not agree with their illegal or simply inhumane plans, you cannot help but admit that their actions do have some logical justification.

Take a look at the best villains from the Marvel movies, the DC movies, and even some great comic book flicks associated with neither, whom we could have sided with if they were not so mean.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's first "big bad," Thanos (Josh Brolin), emerged as the central antagonist of Avengers: Infinity War, in which he aspires to collect every last Infinity Stone to save Earth from human destruction and create balance in the entire universe... but with genocide. Comic book fans agree that the mad Titan's motivation in the 2018 blockbuster is an improvement on the original source material from the early '90s, in which he erased half the universe to appease his crush, Death itself.

The Riddler (The Batman)

Similar to Jim Carrey's iteration of The Riddler from Batman Forever, Paul Dano's version from 2022's The Batman seeks revenge against Bruce Wayne but also believes he is in cahoots with Robert Pattinson's vigilante. The brainteaser enthusiast, who was also orphaned but not treated with the same care as young Wayne, shares the Dark Knight's passion for ridding Gotham of corruption but does not honor his no-killing rule.

Magneto (The X-Men Movies)

Professor Charles Xavier and Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr of the X-Men comics have long been compared to Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X for the way they share a common goal of fighting mutant oppression, but wildly different ideas of how to achieve it. The metalbending criminal (played by Sir Ian McKellan and as a younger man by Michael Fassbender in the X-Men movies) has no interest in peace between humans and mutants, but wishes to see his people become the dominant race.

Syndrome (The Incredibles)

In one of the best Pixar movies, 2004's The Incredibles, Syndrome (Jason Lee) is driven to murder surviving retired superheroes (and become one himself) after being let down as a child by his personal hero, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson). The villain from the 2018 sequel, Evelyn "Screenslaver" Deavor (Catherine Keener), wants to prevent supers from becoming legal for a similar reason.

Baron Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

In 2016's Captain America: Civil War, the Avengers are already on the verge of collapse when the Sokovia Accords are introduced, but making things worse by framing Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) for murder is Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl). It is eventually revealed that he intended to tear the heroes apart as a way to avenge the death of his wife and child, which they inadvertently caused during the violent finale of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

In the cold open for 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian "Vulture" Toomes (Michael Keaton) loses his job cleaning up the aftermath of the battle against the Chitauri in 2012's The Avengers. To continue supporting his family, he decides to use that extraterrestrial technology to build dangerous weapons and sell them to criminals.

Catwoman (Batman Returns)

It has never seemed completely appropriate to think of Selina Kyle as a villain since her thieving exploits are typically well-intentioned. Yet, if there is one iteration of Catwoman who does deserve it, it is Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal from 1992's Batman Returns. Even then, who could blame her for going after Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) for attempting to kill her and being the worst boss in the world?

Loki (Thor)

After discovering that he has been lied to about his true identity for his entire childhood while letting his older brother (played by Chris Hemsworth) have all the glory, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) decides to take all the glory for himself in 2011's Thor. He would later try to take over the world in The Avengers and assumed rule over Asgard by posing as his father in Thor: The Dark World, but the God of Mischief's redemption arc later reached a worthy conclusion on his self-titled Disney+ TV show.

Ozymandias (Watchmen)

Sometimes, it seems like the only way to effectively create world peace would be to give the human race one common enemy – a philosophy shared by wealthy former vigilante Adrian Veidt in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal graphic novel, Watchmen. In Zach Snyder's 2009 adaptation, the character, otherwise known as Ozymandias and portrayed by Matthew Goode, attempts to unite his broken world by painting Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) as its common enemy and creating a cataclysmic explosion.

Killmonger (Black Panther)

After Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) violently usurps the Wakandan throne in 2018's Black Panther, the revived T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is forced to save his nation by finishing his battle with him. However, the king could not help but agree with his long-lost cousin that Wakanda's resources would be of great use to help people suffering from oppression in the rest of the world, especially in the United States.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

In Christopher Nolan's acclaimed live-action Batman movie, The Dark Knight, Gotham City District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) becomes living proof of his belief that "you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself the villain" after suffering the loss of his girlfriend, his career, and half of his face. Then again, after an experience like that, anyone might be susceptible to The Joker's (Heath Ledger) advice to become an agent of chaos like him.

Sandman (Spider-Man 3)

Easily one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, let alone one of the most sympathetic, is Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who becomes known as Sandman after he gains the ability to turn into a coarse substance. Even before that accident, he was forced to turn to crime to support his ailing daughter – a discovery that inspires Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) to forgive him for killing his uncle in 2007's Spider-Man 3.

Prince Nuada (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

In the world of Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy movies, mythical creatures honor an ancient agreement to live in hiding underground while humanity rules on the surface... at least before the eponymous BPRD agent (Ron Perlman) reveals himself to the public in the 2008 sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army. This inspires the elvish Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) to rescue his oppressed people by unleashing a mechanical army to wipe out the human race.

Orm (Aquaman)

When he is crowned king of Atlantis, Orm Marius, otherwise known as "Ocean Master" (Patrick Wilson), aspires to save the Earth's marine life from pollution, which is undeniably an admirable goal. Of course, his method of choice is human extinction, which is why his half-human brother, Arthur "Aquaman" Curry, is enlisted to help stop him in director James Wan's 2018 DC movie.

Scarlet Witch (Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness)

At the end of the Emmy-winning WandaVision, Wanda "Scarlet Witch" Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) is forced to let go of the sitcom-inspired fantasy life she has created for herself, which includes her two imaginary sons, Billy and Tommy. In 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she discovers they do exist in alternate timelines and strives to be reunited with them by attempting to take America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez, who can travel the Marvel Multiverse) as a prisoner.

Mr Freeze (Batman & Robin)

One of the most complex villains in Batman's rogues gallery is Dr. Victor Fries, otherwise known as Mr. Freeze, who turns to crime in hopes of developing a cure for his ailing wife, whom he puts under a cryogenic slumber with the same technology that accidentally made him resistant to temperatures above freezing. This concept is not lost on 1997's Batman & Robin, even if Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal is bogged down by egregious puns and an incomprehensible need for diamonds to power his freezing suit.

Xu Wenwu (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

When "The Mandarin" was first introduced in the MCU in Iron Man 3, he was portrayed by Ben Kingsley as a heartless, unmerciful terrorist... until it was revealed he was just an actor named Trevor Slattery. The real Mandarin, Xu Wenwu (portrayed by Tony Leung in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), is an ancient warrior who is driven by a desire to protect his family and ensure their legacy, even by violent means.

Zod (Man Of Steel)

If you were among the last of your severely endangered race, would you not want to do whatever you could to preserve your people? That is the gist of what Zod (Michael Shannon) wants to do in 2013's Man of Steel, but since his plans also involve violently taking over the Earth, fellow Kryptonian Superman (Henry Cavill) is forced to defeat him.

Lizard (The Amazing Spider-Man)

In 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man, all Dr. Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans) wants to do is find a way to regrow his amputated right arm. He did not expect that the experimental regrowth serum he derived from lizard DNA would cause him to transform into a half-man, half-reptile hybrid.

Ghost (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Hannah John-Kamen stars as Ava Starr, who gained the ability to become intangible after suffering the same accident involving quantum energy that killed her parents. She then started dying of a lack of quantum energy, forcing her to attempt stealing Hank Pym's (Michael Douglas) Quantum Tunnel so she could absorb what she needed from it, which would have killed Jane Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Gorr The God-Butcher (Thor: Love And Thunder)

It is very unfortunate that, after the death of his daughter, Gorr (Christian Bale) asked for help from a group of celestials who turned out to be anything but godly, causing a voracious hate for said beings to grow within him. Unfortunately, he fails to realize that, in the MCU, there do exist gods who are worthy of praise, such as Chris Hemsworth's eponymous Asgardian in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder, who seeks to put a stop to his extermination of beings like him.

Silver Samurai (The Wolverine)

Hugh Jackman's Logan sees his immortality as a curse. Thus, when a Japanese man named Ichirō Yashida (Haruhiko Yamanouchi), whose life the mutant once saved during World War II, offers him the chance to cure his immortality. Of course, the catch is that he wants to have eternal life himself, but that is easy to understand from the perspective of a cancer patient like him.

Bolivar Trask (X-Men: Days Of Future Past)

In one of Marvel's first time travel movies, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Peter Dinklage plays essentially the polar opposite of Magneto, Bolivar Trask – a Vietnam War opposer with a goal of protecting the human race. Unfortunately, his plan is to construct an army of robots programmed to hunt mutants that, unbeknownst to him, are destined to bring forth a dystopian future.

Black Manta (Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom)

In the first Aquaman movie, Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) leaves a pirate named Jessie Kane (Michael Beach) to die as punishment for murdering innocent people. This drove his son, David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), down a vengeful path that would continue in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, in which his alter ego, Black Manta, becomes the main antagonist.

Arishem (Eternals)

In Eternals, Arishem the Judge emerges with the intent of protecting the universe and creating new life by birthing a new Celestial, which would allow for the creation of trillions of new beings and the formation of countless planets. Of course, his plan runs the risk of killing millions of humans, which is what forces the eponymous group of immortal heroes to come out of retirement.

Starro (The Suicide Squad)

In James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, the latest iteration of Task Force X discovers that "Project Starfish" is a giant alien shaped like said aquatic animal, which releases smaller creatures that attach to human faces, creating a connected hive mind. It is through this that the crew of anti-heroes learn that "Starro," as it is really called, never wanted to be brought to Earth and live a perfectly content life in space before it was snatched away and reluctantly turned into a weapon.

Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

The long-awaited MCU induction of Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) occurred in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, in which Shuri (Letitia Wright) learns that the aquatic being wants nothing more than to protect his underwater civilization, Tal'Kona, and its vibranium resources. However, she also learns that he wants to unite with Wakanda to be a force against the rest of the world, which is not something the late T'Challa's sister is willing to put up with.

Kingpin (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)

Most iterations of Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk depict the entrepreneur and businessman as nothing but a ruthless, corrupt crook, but 2018's acclaimed Multiverse movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, shows a different side of the character. Voiced by Liev Schreiber, Fisk is determined to be reunited with his late wife and child, but with a device used for interdimensional travel that comes with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Yokai (Big Hero 6)

Robert Callaghan (James Cromwell) was a renowned scientist hoping to use his skills to improve the world before an accident caused his pilot daughter, Abigail (Shiyoon Kim), to go missing while testing experimental teleportation technology. This drove Callaghan to adopt the alter ego Yokai and become the main antagonist of Disney's Big Hero 6.

Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)

Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) first appeared in 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, appearing to be a heroic interdimensional traveler, until it is revealed that the disasters he helped stop were elaborate illusions of his design. His plan all along was to coerce Peter Parker (Tom Holland) into giving him AI-equipped glasses made by the late Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who was actually his former boss. However, I can understand wanting to get back at a former employer who took credit for your inventions.

Sebastian Shaw (X-Men: First Class)

Before Magneto became dead set on making mutants Earth's dominant species, the top purveyor of that movement was Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) in 2011's X-Men: First Class. I can admire someone whose main intention is solving the issue with humanity's inherent flaws, but if the method does not involve peace, you are a bad guy in my book.

Poison Ivy (Batman & Robin)

No matter what iteration of Poison Ivy you refer to, the Gotham City criminal's essential goal is to protect the environment, even if that means making humanity suffer. Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman gives one of the more uproarious portrayals of the ecoterrorist in Batman & Robin.

At the end of 2023, the DC Extended Universe came to a close after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom only made a little over $439 million globally, a far cry from the first movie, which garnered headlines for hitting the billion dollar club. It's not just box office that was its pitfall, but the overhaul by James Gunn and co. of the entire superhero universe. But if you were to ask one major star, it's OK it's all over now, baby blue.

In the sequel, Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry joined forces with Patrick Wilson’s Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master, despite the fact that his half-brother spent the last movie trying to kill him. Fortunately, the two ended on much better terms with each other in the last of the DCEU’s DC movies in order, which is why Wilson is OK with the Aquaman franchise ending. When asked if he hoped the Aquaman film series had lasted longer than two movies, he answered:

The actor shared these thoughts while being interviewed by Variety about his new movie Millers in Marriage, which is now playing on the 2025 release schedule. But in regards to the end of his DC career, he has a point.

Orm starts out in 2018’s Aquaman as a villain, albeit a sympathetic one since he’s angry about how the surface world has polluted the oceans. Then in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, after nearly half a decade of imprisonment, Orm is broken out to help Arthur track down Black Manta and foil his schemes.

There’s a nice evolutionary journey spread across two movies, and the last time we see Patrick Wilson’s character, he’s enjoying a cheeseburger for the first time. What else would there be to do besides just have Orm team up with Arthur again?

Even before it was announced that the DCEU would come to a close and the DC Universe franchise would rise from the ashes, there was never any official indication that Aquaman 3 was in the cards. However, that’s not to say that Patrick Wilson would have turned down appearing in a threequel if it’d come his way. As he put it:

Although some elements of the DCEU are being retained for the DCU, the Aquaman corner of the former franchise isn’t one of them. Case in point, Jason Momoa is playing Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the upcoming DC movie lined up for summer 2026. Maybe an opportunity will come along for Patrick Wilson to play a different role in the DCU, but for now, he’s comfortable with putting Orm behind him.

If you’d like to revisit either of the Aquaman movies, they can both be streamed with a Max subscription. Otherwise, watch the DCU finally take off on the big screen when the James Gunn-helmed Superman opens on July 11.

Actress Nicole Kidman has had a long and wildly successful career, spanning both film and TV. During that time she's taken a number of gigs in superhero projects, most notably Batman Forever and the Aquaman franchise (both of which are streaming with a Max subscription). She recently explained why she took those gigs, and clarified it wasn't for the money.

Those of us who have been watching the DC movies in order have seen as Kidman went from damsel in distress in Batman Forever to an Atlantean queen and warrior in Aquaman. While speaking with L'Officiel, she spoke about what drew her to these roles. Regarding her time playing Chase Meridian in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever, she said:

Points were made. It sounds like it was a bucket list moment for Kidman to kiss Val Kilmer's Batman, with or without his signature cowl. So she signed on for Shumacher's first Batman movie, playing journalist and love interest to Bruce Wayne, Chase Meridian.

Kidman makes her entrance in the very first scene of that live-action Batman movie, so it's not like she had a small presence in the blockbuster. Although she did fall into the trop of being the damsel in distress, as she's kidnapped by Jim Carrey and Tom Lee Jones' Riddler and Two-Face during the final act.

Her time in the DCEU as Queen Atlanna was different, as she got a number of thrilling action sequences, especially the one-shot prologue battle of the first Aquaman movie. It turns out that she originally thought it would be a scary movie, and was eager to work with horror legend James Wan. In her words:

While this still hasn't happened yet, they were able to work together on both of the Aquaman movies, with the sequel The Lost Kingdom serving as the final chapter in the DCEU as a whole. Hopefully Kidman and Wan will be able to collaborate on a bonafide horror movie sooner rather than later.

It certainly seem like Kidman's acting choices haven't been motivated by money, and are instead based on what types of projects and directors she'd like to work with. This is likely why she's had such a long career, which has extended into producing acclaimed TV shows like HBO's Big Little Lies and The Undoing.

Nicole Kidman can be seen in Batman Forever and both Aquaman movies by streaming them on Max. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

Jason Momoa has made quite a splash as the ridiculously ripped Aquaman since first portraying the superhero in the DCEU. The actor has undergone some intense Aquaman workouts to achieve that chiseled look, though he’s admitted that he’s been known to skip leg day. So why not take legs out of the question altogether? Thanks to the power of A.I., we can now envision the King of Atlantis as a different half-human creature living under the sea, and once you’ve seen Momoa as The Little Mermaid, there’s no going back.

Artificial intelligence was used to create several beautiful images of Jason Momoa living his best life as a mermaid, and all I can say is Halle Bailey may have some competition if Disney ever decides to make a sequel to her 2023 live-action remake. Check out the pics on Instagram for yourself:

Apparently, in the Jason Momoa version of The Little Mermaid universe, all of the fish are pink, and the actor fits right in with his sparkling pink tail and the glistening scales on his sheer sleeves.

It seems the only fabric available in this under-the-sea world is the same hue, as one slide shows several mannequins donning sequined pink mermaid bodysuits, and the A.I. Momoa wears a fancy pink and gold blazer in another image.

What’s funny is that unlike Halle Bailey’s green tail in The Little Mermaid, it seems no effort was made by the A.I. to make Jason Momoa’s tail look realistic whatsoever. It’s most obvious in the second slide, where the Aquaman and the Lost KIngdom star is perched on a rock in the moonlight. The artificially created sequins don’t resemble scales at all, giving the impression that Momoa is cosplaying more than actually living life amongst friends like Flounder and Sebastian.

Four slides in, meanwhile, the A.I. gave up on the tail completely, showing Jason Momoa — legs and all — enjoying some light reading in between adventures.

It’s always fun to see the images that people create using artificial intelligence. Even Jason Momoa, who starred on Baywatch: Hawaii a couple of decades ago, might be able to appreciate seeing the Harry Potter characters donning the series' signature red swimsuits (I’ll never get over Voldemort in swim trunks). And while Khal Drogo wasn’t among them, several Game of Thrones characters have also been reimagined as Disney animated characters, thanks to A.I.

There may not be any mermaid-related movies in Jason Momoa’s immediate future, but he’s still got some fun things in store. Next up for the actor is the adaptation of the video game Minecraft, which is slated to hit theaters in 2025. In addition to Momoa, Minecraft’s cast boasts plenty of heavy-hitters, including Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge and more.

Until then, you can relive Jason Momoa’s adventures as Arthur Curry by streaming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and its predecessor with a Max subscription. The Little Mermaid, meanwhile, is available on another of the best streaming services — Disney+.

Although Aquaman has been around as a comic book character since 1941, it wasn’t until the 2010s that he made his theatrical debut, with Jason Momoa bringing Arthur Curry to life in the DCEU era of the DC movies in order. However, a little under a decade before Momoa first cameoed as Aquaman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the superhero was going to be depicted in live-action for George Miller’s Justice League: Mortal. Heroes and Star Trek: Picard’s Santiago Cabrera was cast as Arthur, and he opened up about Miller’s superhero movie being canceled and what it was like wearing the Aquaman suit for the first time.

While talking about his new TV series Land of Women, which can be streamed with an Apple TV+ subscription, Cabrera, who also starred in Season 3 of Max’s The Cleaning Lady, talked about his brief time tied to Aquaman when he was asked by THR if he would “answer the call” from Marvel or DC if an opportunity to star in one of their projects came along. In his words:

Santiago Cabrera’s costars on Justice League: Mortal included D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Armie Hammer as Batman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Adam Brody as The Flash, Common as Green Lantern, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter and Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord, the lead villain. Had Mortal gotten off the ground, DC could have launched its first shared cinematic continuity around the same time the Marvel Cinematic Universe began. However, as Cabrera mentioned, the 2007-2008 writers strike through a wrench into the works, and there were various other delays and setbacks that popped up after the strike ended.

Ultimately, Warner Bros. Pictures decided to shelve Justice League: Mortal in favor of focusing on solo movies, though Man of Steel would then launch the DCEU in 2013. And while Santiago Cabrera never got to appear on the big screen as Aquaman, he at least got far enough into the preparation process to try on the costume he’d be wearing. The actor continued:

So even though playing Aquaman didn’t work out, Cabrera is still game to come aboard the Marvel or DC franchises if something presents itself. For what it’s worth, D.J. Cotrona, Adam Brody and Common all went on to participate in the DCEU. The former two played the superpowered forms of Pedro and Freddy in the Shazam! movies, and common appeared in Suicide Squad as a criminal named Monster T. The first theatrical Justice League movie, which was largely put together by Joss Whedon during reshoots, came out in 2017, and the four-hour Zack Snyder’s Justice League was delivered to Max subscription holders in 2021.

Now fans await the new DC Universe, and while James Gunn’s Superman movie, which comes out on July 11, 2025, will see the Man of Steel teaming up with superheroes like Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho, there’s been no mention yet about if the Justice League exists in this continuity yet. However, if we’re getting the Justice League International, there’s no shortage of characters who could be on the team, and maybe Santiago Cabrera could play one of them.

There are movies out there that will surprise you to learn they earned over that magic number of $1 billion. No one is shocked to see Avatar: Way of the Water or Titanic on the list, those movies are well known for their monster success, but then there are dozens of movies who have hit that number, mostly in the 21st Century, and some of them are really surprising. So here is our list of those, with the numbers reported by Box Office Mojo.

Zootopia

Disney's Zootopia didn't feel like it was going to be a billion-dollar franchise. Sure, the trailer was great and the movie was fantastic, but if you were placing bets on which Disney movies released in 2016 would earn more, Zootopia or Moana, most people would have guessed the latter. But it's the former that far outearned Moana, bringing in just over a billion dollars.

Aladdin

Disney has taken a lot of grief from some of the movie-going public for their live-action remakes, but the House of Mouse has consistently proven their critics wrong, at least in terms of box office revenue. Will Smith's Aladdin is one such example, as it brought in just north of a cool billion upon release in 2019. 

Finding Dory

Say what you want about Disney, but they are good at building many of their franchises. Finding Nemo was a huge hit, but its sequel, Finding Dory, smashed Nemo's box office numbers, bringing in more than a billion, beating its big brother by more than $500 million. 

Joker

Oppenheimer took the world by storm in the summer of 2023 and quickly became the second-highest-grossing rated R movie at the time. As well as it did at the box office, it couldn't top Todd Phillips' Joker. Joker became the first adult-only movie to top $1 billion in 2019.

Toy Story 3

It's probably not all that surprising that a Toy Story movie made a billion bucks. What is a little surprising is that it took until the 3rd installment of the franchise to become the first to do it. After nearly a decade since Toy Story 2 Pixar hit it big, both critically and financially, with 2010's Toy Story 3. Good things come to those who wait. 

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

There are probably still people out there that are surprised by the monster success of the Michael Bay Transformers movies. Critics loathe them, but fans can't get enough, and that shows when they earn over a billion despite terrible reviews, like Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.

The Lion King

A year after releasing the hugely successful Aladdin live-action remake, Disney followed up with another live-action remake of one of their beloved '90s cartoons, The Lion King and it too went wild at the box office, earning more than $1.6 billion. 

Jurassic Park

This is arguably the most surprising on the list. No, not that a Jurassic Park movie raked in over a billion, each of the three released between 2015 and 2022 did that. No, what makes this entry so surprising is that it came out in 1993! It's by far the oldest movie on this list and it's astounding that it's earned over a billion. It was all earned in the '90s, of course, it's been re-released multiple times, but it just keeps crushing it whenever it is. 

Skyfall

Amazingly, it took 23 movies before the James Bond franchise had its first billion-dollar+ release. 2012's Skyfall, which CinemaBlend ranks in the middle of the pack of the Daniel Craig era was the first movie about the super spy to bring in over a billion. 

The Fate Of The Furious

Sometimes franchises just prove the critics wrong over and over. The Fast franchise is the poster child of this. While film reviewers and movie snobs often scoff at the franchise, the fans keep flocking, and The Fate Of The Furious is one huge example, as it earned more than $1.2 billion at the box office. 

Aquaman

Never underestimate the power of Jason Momoa. While it's never surprising to see superhero movies earn tons of money, the DCEU never quite kept up with its rival, Marvel. Despite mixed reviews and some bad press, 2018's Aquaman still crushed at the box office, raking in more than $1.1 billion. 

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

No one is surprised by the success of the Harry Potter movies. Most of the series earned just under a billion, but only just. It's also not surprising to learn that the highest-grossing movie of the franchise was the final one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, released in 2010. What is very surprising is that number two on the list is the oldest, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, released way back in 2001. It has benefitted from re-releases, but it's still pretty shocking. 

Minions

One could argue that Minions is really a spinoff more than a prequel to the original Despicable Me and as such, you wouldn't expect it to be one of the most successful releases in the very popular series. the 2015 release earned over $1.1 billion, far out earning the main installments in the franchise. 

Alice In Wonderland

This may be the most surprising movie on the list. Tim Burton's 2010 release, Alice in Wonderland earned just over a billion dollars at the box office, which is more than all but two of Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It's just remarkable. How did this oddball movie earn so much? Well, Johnny Depp was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time, but that still doesn't fully explain it. We may never know. 

Inside Out 2

In 2024 Pixar proved it's still a force to be reckoned with when Inside Out 2 earned over $1.2 billion at the box office. Released nine years after the first movie, Inside Out 2 crushed at the box office and proved the Disney animation studio has more up its sleeve than we ever realized. 

Beauty And The Beast

Beauty And The Beast was the first '90s Disney animated movie to get the live-action remake treatment. Released in 2017, it was an instant success, packing theaters and printing money to the tune of over $1.2 billion. It paved the way for later success like Aladdin and The Lion King. 

Incredibles 2

it's never really a huge surprise when a Disney-animated movie makes a ton of dough. What makes Incredibles 2 so surprising is just how much that was. The 2018 sequel made more than $1.2 billion, ranking only below Frozen as Disney's most successful animated movie at the time. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie got crushed by many critics. Audiences completely ignored them, however, and generally loved it. That paid off at the box office in a big way, to the tune of more than $1.3 billion. Huge numbers. 

Despicable Me 3

After the huge success of Minions, Despicable Me 3 was released in 2016 and followed the success of its spinoff, earning just over a billion at the box office. It was followed up 8 years later with Despicable Me 4 in 2024 which wasn't a hit with critics, but still made a ton of money. 

Top Gun: Maverick

1986's Top Gun is a cultural touchstone to anyone who grew up in the '80s. It was wildly popular, and while people were skeptical of a sequel getting released almost 40 years later, the movie makers proved it was the correct decision. Top Gun: Maverick "saved" cinema, according to some, as it was the first monster release after the pandemic, bringing in almost $1.5 billion. Just incredible. 

Captain Marvel

It might not be surprising that an MCU movie would earn over a billion, lots of them have. Captain Marvel, however, was a bit of a surprise. Not only did some overzealous fans scoff at a female lead in a superhero movie, it came sandwiched between the two monster Avengers movies. Brie Larson and Marvel proved their critics wrong when the movie brought in $1.1 billion and change. 

Frozen II

Anyone who has had a kid in the last 20 years knows how huge Frozen was. Its sequel, however, was less well-received by fans and critics alike. That didn't stop fans from flocking to theaters to see it, however. It made an amazing $1.4 billion. 

Rogue One

A few Star Wars movies have made over a billion, but Rogue One is the only one outside of the main trilogy of trilogies to earn that distinction. It's also one of the best Star Wars movies since the original three. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy was a monster success. His follow-up, the Hobbit trilogy wasn't as successful, but the first one, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, still managed to crack the billion-dollar mark. The only one of the three to do so. 

The Dark Knight

Okay, we'll be honest, this one isn't all that surprising. Not only is The Dark Knight arguably the best superhero movie ever made, it marked Heath Ledger's most electrifying performance before we lost him far too soon. Still, for a movie as dark as it is, it's surprising it was as successful in theaters as it was. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By the time Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series was released, it seemed like the franchise was running on borrowed time. The box office receipts proved that wrong in a big way when it earned more than a billion and became the second most successful movie in the Johnny Depp-led series at the time. 

The Dark Knight Rises

Another dark entry in the superhero genre is the third film in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. It did not have auspicious opening weekend when a gunman killed 12 people at a midnight screening of the movie. It was a tragic moment, but the box office rebounded and The Dark Knight Rises still earned over a billion.  

Barbie

While it wasn't a surprise that the Margot Robbie-led Barbie became a hit, but the absolutely huge impact of the movie took almost everyone by surprise. When it was all said and done, Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of 2023, earning more than $1.4 billion. 

Toy Story 4

It's always risky to release a sequel a decade after the previous installment of a franchise, much less decades after the original, but Toy Story 4 proved that the world truly loves the franchise as much as any other Disney has ever created. It just topped its predecessor with over a billion dollars earned in 2019. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Everyone knows that The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a massive success, but still, the fact that a movie released in 2003 earned north of a billion is very surprising. That's exactly what The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King did when it was released, right before it cleaned up at the Oscars. 

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Critics continue to slam the Transformers franchise, but fans don't care. The 2014 release, Transformers: Age of Extinction, proves just how much the fans don't care as they flocked to the theater, handing over a collective $1.1 billion. 

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Only three movies released in the 1990s have ever earned over a billion dollars. Titanic, of course, is the top earner. Jurassic Park is the second. The third, is maybe not as surprising, as it's a Star Wars movie and it was the first one in almost two decades. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace may not be a fan favorite today, but in 1999 fans couldn't wait. It destroyed box offices all over the work, raking in an impressive one billion dollars. It far outpaced its sequels and that mark was not reached by the franchise again until 2015's Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

James Gunn’s DCU is a strange animal. The movies and shows (and video games) that will be making up this superhero universe are falling under the umbrella of an overarching storyline known as Gods and Monsters. Gunn has been hard at work on his own Superman movie, though the first “official” installment in the DCU is going to be the animated Creature Commandos, which will debut on HBO in December. You might think that the DCU is completely separate from the DC movies and shows that came before it. But there will be SOME minor bleedover, particularly when it comes to John Cena’s Peacemaker series, and the presence of Amanda Waller, played expertly by Viola Davis. 

Now, however, new rumors are starting to swirl around yet another holdover from the Zack Snyder days of the DCEU, only with an intriguing wrinkle. Noted scooper DanielRPK is going on record to say that Jason Momoa is being eyed to appear in Craig Gillespie’s upcoming DC movie Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Only, Momoa would not be taking the same route as Cena or Davis. Meaning, he would not be returning to the role of Aquaman. Instead, if Momoa were to appear in Supergirl, he likely would fulfill the longtime rumor that has connected him to the part of Lobo, the badass bounty hunter. 

Believe me, we have heard the “Jason Momoa will play Lobo” drum beat for years. Basically, in the time leading up to the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, DC Comics fans knew that the DCEU was ending, and that James Gunn and Peter Safran were starting anew. But those same fans lobbied to see Momoa transition over to this new universe in a different part. The actor has talked openly about the role, and his desire to play it. If these rumors are to be believed, this casting dream might come true in the next two to three years. 

But for some DC fans, that’s too soon for Jason Momoa to leave behind one prominent DC character and step into the shoes of another. I however do not agree with that. Yes, Momoa made Arthur Curry his own in the DCEU. And he was a significant contributor to the Justice League (the Snyder Cut of the movie, not the laughable Whedon debacle), as well as his own two solo movies. No one is going to take Aquaman away from Momoa. 

There is room in the DCU, however, for a new iteration of Aquaman, as well as Jason Momoa as Lobo. Look at a picture of Lobo. If they go the traditional route with the design of the character, he’ll look nothing like Arthur Curry, and nothing like Momoa. Well, a little bit like Momoa. It’s not too soon for Momoa to leave Atlantis behind and show up in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow playing Lobo. Particularly because we might be talking about 2026 (or later) until that movie reaches theaters. 

The announcement of the Gods and Monsters slate has covered Superman (2025), Waller, Creature Commandos, Lanterns, The Authority, Supergirl, and Elseworld projects that include Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part 2 and Joker 2. It’s an 8-10 year plan, according to Gunn himself, but there’s no inclusion of a DCU Aquaman, or a Justice League movie. The character could surface in another story. Or he may just be on hold. Meaning Gunn would use him 5-10 years down the road. Or not at all. 

Instead, we should start preparing for Jason Momoa to possibly appear in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which I’m guessing is going to aim for a 2025 shoot and a 2026 release, coupled with The Authority (as I think members of that team will be introduced in Gunn’s Superman movie). No matter how you look at it, there are a ton of exciting things happening on the DC slate, so stay tuned for updates as they happen. 

The DCEU as we knew it ended with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which struggled at the box office. The sequel (which is streaming with a Max subscription), featured a number of returning characters, including Amber Heard's reduced role as Mera. It turns out Aquaman 2 nearly brought back a returning character from the first movie. Here’s what went wrong.

When the Aquaman 2 cast list became official online, it was clear that we'd be missing out on some characters such as Willem Dafoe's Vulko. Actor Michael Beach played Black Manta's father Jesse Kane in the first movie, and recently told ComicBook that he was originally going to appear in the sequel via flashbacks. In his words: 

Well, my FOMO is through the roof. Black Manta's quest for vengeance against Aquaman and the Atlantans goes back to Jason Momoa killing his father during a conflict under the sea. So it would have made sense if The Lost Kingdom fleshed out that father/son relationship for moviegoers who maybe missed the previous entry. 

Alas, Beach did not end up having a role in Aquaman 2. CinemaBlend's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review criticized the movie's quality after James Wan's original, which was the highest grossing DC movie upon its release. Perhaps bringing back Black Manta's father would have helped the audience understand his motivation better, even before he was possessed by a dark force. 

There was a very long gap between the two Aquaman movies, where a ton changed behind the scenes. That includes James Gunn and Peter Safran being named co-CEOs of DC Studios, and crafting an entirely new shared universe. It's still unclear what will come with the new universe, but it seemingly contributed to the last few releases like Aquaman 2 fizzling out at the theaters. After all, why should fans come out to theaters to see movies that ultimately won't be canon anymore? 

Ultimately scheduling prevented Michael Beach from reprising his Aquaman role for the sequel. Black Manta's backstory was instead told through exposition, and references to what went down in the opening sequence of the original film. 

It should be fascinating to see what comes in the new DCU, with its first set of projects titled Gods and Monsters. It's unclear if/when Aquaman lore will factor in or who might play Arthur Curry. Jason Momoa teased a meeting with Gunn, but fans think he might be playing another character like Lobo.

The DCEU is streaming now on Max, and the DCU will begin with Superman on July 11th, 2025. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trip to the theater next year.

Getting ripped and staying fit is serious business for actors who are playing superheroes within the DC Universe. Shazam!’s Zachary Levi revealed his routine, which consists of both intense workouts, and eating a ton of meat and vegetables five times a day. Dwayne Johnson even spoke about how "challenging" it was to stay fit while filming Black Adam. But, for Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, maintaining his muscles was less about strictness, and more about giving his body what it wanted – even if that meant drinking a Guinness or two to get the physique for his infamous shirtless scene.

Anyone who’s familiar with the actor and Aquaman knows that every time the 6-foot-4, 260-pound actor is on screen (shirtless or not), he looks absolutely swole. His physique was definitely on display in the franchise's 2018 first installment, which saw the titular character taking on a group of pirates and not wearing a shirt. With his muscle definition and chiseled frame, most probably assume that he lived on the same diet and workout restrictions as his fellow DC alum.

In a conversation with Men’s Health though, Jason Momoa revealed that when it came time for his epic shirtless scene, the secret to his humongous look didn’t involve eating more protein or getting a few more deadlifts in before appearing in front of the camera, but throwing back a can of Guinness. Here’s why it worked for him:

As soon as I read this, I was flabbergasted. The secret to the A-lister keeping his body feeling happy and looking good simultaneously while filming Aquaman wasn’t just about drinking a beer he loves but indulging in carbs. And this actually makes perfect sense. According to the USADA, carbs replenish people’s energy levels after intense training, giving their bodies the boost they need when fatigued. The Fast X star went on explain this concept perfectly:

Just like he loves beer, I (along with many others) am also a huge carb connoisseur myself, preferring pastas and breads. And, if the body performs better by just eating a bit more of the things we really like, why deprive myself, right? There’s a reason it's worked out so great for the fan-favorite actor.

What might surprise some is that this isn’t the first time Jason Momoa has been open about his diet or exercise habits. In fact, in late 2023, he said that he kept his training for the Aquaman sequel very simple. As he put it, “I don’t do calories. I just eat.” He explained that because he was working out so much and burning so many calories, he ate everything he could, which obviously differs from the strictness of peanut butter and yams mentioned earlier. Despite this new approach, his body looked as jacked as ever, proving that what he’s doing is working for him specifically.

While the star of the Lost Kingdom cast doesn’t have his name tied to an entry on the 2024 movie schedule, fans can look forward to Jason Momoa being featured in upcoming movies in 2025 and beyond like Minecraft and In the Hand of Dante. He will also star in an upcoming historical drama about the Hawaiian Islands called Chief of War. In the meantime, I hope he’s taking the time out of his busy schedule to crack open a few more cans of Guinness and indulge in what he really likes.

You can watch both Aquaman movies using a Max subscription. With it, you also can stream the DC movies in order.

Last year marked the end of an era for the DC movies in order. 10 years and 16 movies later (including Zack Snyder’s Justice League), the DC Extended Universe came an end in December 2023 with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The sequel saw Yahyah Abdul-Mateen II’s plan to ruin the life of Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry finally come to fruition, though the silver lining is that this scheme paved the way for Arthur and his half-brother Orm, reprised by Patrick Wilson, to resolve their differences. Given the buzz that Momoa is shifting to playing Lobo in the new DC Universe continuity, this will likely be the last time we see the actor playing DC Comics’ King of Atlantis.

Unfortunately, in addition to the Aquaman sequel being nowhere near as commercially successful as its predecessor (although it is the most financially successful DCEU movie since the 2018 release), it also earned primarily negative critical reception, including CinemaBlend’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom  review giving it just 2.5 out of 5 stars. While I agree that The Lost Kingdom is kind of a mess, now that it’s available to stream with a Max subscription, I want to steer things in a more positive direction and highlight the key scene between Arthur Curry and Black Manta, a.k.a. David Kane, that I love. It also happens to be the last time we see these two together.

Upon gaining the Black Trident in Aquaman 2, Black Manta was possessed by the spirit of Kordax, the brother of King Atlas who once ruled the Kingdom of Necrus and nearly destroyed the world long ago using Orichalcum. By the time of the movie’s climactic third act though, Kordax left Manta’s body and possessed Orm, but Arthur was able to drive the spirit out of him by convincing his younger brother to let go of his hatred of him. Kordax and the Black Trident were subsequently destroyed, and Arthur and Orm were finally free to start forming a brotherly relationship.

Black Manta, on the other hand, was incapable of relinquishing his hatred for Aquaman, even with Korax no longer influencing his actions. So as Necrus was collapsing and Manta lost his footing, even when Arthur stuck out his hand to pull him back up, Manta refused the offer, choosing to instead fall to his death rather than accept any help from his adversary. This moment perfectly encapsulated how far Arthur had come from the first Aquaman movie, and how Manta is a character consumed by his desire for revenge, even if it’s to his detriment.

Remember that at the beginning of Aquaman, Arthur Curry refused to save Black Manta’s father Jesse after he became trapped aboard the now-sinking submarine he and his son had hijacked with their team. David begged for Arthur to free Jesse, but the half-human, half-Atlantean hero simply told him to beg the sea for mercy, feeling that Jesse murdering innocent people was enough justification for him to die. Jesse opted to blow himself up rather than drown, and David rededicated his life to seeking vengeance against Aquaman and hurt those close to him. He was even willing to, as he put it in The Lost Kingdom, make a deal with the Devil to accomplish his goal.

By the time Arthur found himself in the same kind of situation with Black Manta in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, he’d lost that edge. Through a combination of carrying out his superhero and kingly duties, along with being married to Mera and being a father to Arthur Jr., he was now a man who was willing to save his arch-nemesis despite all the atrocities he committed. It was a sharp 180 from how he’d treated Jesse Kane four years earlier. 

But for all that Arthur Curry had changed between the events of Aquaman and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Black Manta stayed the same… personality-wise, at least. He despised Aquaman with every fiber of his being, so when faced with either having the man save his or life or dying, he chose the latter. It was an unfortunate way to go, but that falls in line with the traditional way Black Manta is depicted; the majority of the time, even if it results in self-sabotage, he won’t pass over the chance to stick it to Aquaman.

So as far as Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta are concerned, their stories are now over. But as mentioned earlier, out of the ashes of the DCEU will rise the DC Universe, so remember to keep visiting CinemaBlend for the latest and greatest news about upcoming DC movies and upcoming DC TV shows.

Most TV viewers love Alan Ritchson as the tough and broad Jack Reacher in Prime Video’s Reacher. However, diehard fans remember his time as another small-screen hero – Arthur Curry (aka Aquaman) in the classic WB/CW series Smallville. He was Aquaman long before Jason Momoa’s DCEU tenure brought the aquatic superhero to the silver screen. However, Ritchson’s experience continues to haunt him years later, and it all has to do with wearing a speedo.

The Reacher star played the King of Atlantis in a recurring role on the CW superhero series from 2005 to 2010. So, he spent a few years wearing the iconic (yet modernized) suit. However, Ritchson’s costume has gained attention as his fame has continued to rise. While the outfit became a meme, the TV and film actor recalled cringing over his Smallville costume to BroBible, saying:

Honestly, Ritchson has every right to cringe at those old Aquaman photos. He didn’t have a say in his character’s look. Smallville was his first acting role, and he didn’t want to step on any toes or risk being fired. Compared to Jason Momoa’s infamous Aquaman suit, Ritchson didn’t read like a modern DC superhero and was more like a 2000s fanboy playing Aquaman. We're seriously talking about an orange speedo here. Who designed this?

While the costume wasn’t to Alan Ritchson’s taste, the Blue Mountain State alum did win over the Smallville fandom with his guest spots. His Aquaman popularity was so palpable that rumors swirled about Ritchson starring as the DC superhero in a spinoff series. 

The rumored spinoff would’ve been the character’s second TV attempt after Smallville co-star Justin Hartley shot an infamous pilot based on the King of Atlantis, which eventually found its way online. There were no hard feelings as the Fast X star returned to the DC Universe to play Hank Hall (aka Hawk) in the Max series Titans.

Of course, Alan Ritchson found his niche as Jack Reacher. The Prime Video series just wrapped up its second season with Reacher Season 3 already in production. 

Check out our TV schedule to see when the third season will premiere before streaming every season of Reacher through an Amazon Prime Video subscription. Don’t forget to watch Ritchson’s Aquaman by streaming Smallville through a Hulu subscription.

After years of delays, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom finally swam into theaters in December 2023, marking the end of the DC Extended Universe. A sequel to the Jason Momoa-led 2018, it centered mostly around the relationship between the titular hero and his villainous brother, Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master and their efforts to defeat Black Manta. Those who followed the flick’s production, however, probably know that it went through reshoots, which resulted in some story changes. Dolph Lundgren and Amber Heard were among those whose roles were reportedly cut down as a result of the shifts, and the former shared some thoughts on that. 

Dolph Lundgren played (the formerly antagonistic) King Nereus in the Aquaman duology. While his role in the first installment was fairly significant, his presence in The Lost Kingdom was somewhat diminished. The 66-year-old actor recently spoke about how the superhero film ultimately shook out while promoting his latest film, Wanted Man. As the star explained, he personally enjoyed an earlier iteration of the swashbuckling blockbuster: 

In the movie, Nereus aids Arthur Curry in his attempt to take down the corrupted Black Manta and thwart his environmental-based machinations. He’s not unimportant to the story, but he does mostly sit on the sidelines this time around. Dolph Lundgren, during his interview with UPI, also shared his view on the challenges of reshooting significant portions of a movie. He also provided a summation of his feelings over his role in the production being cut down: 

He does make a fair point, in that reshooting portions of a feature film can be tricky, if you’re aiming to produce a cohesive piece of work. The results aren’t always negative, though, as additional photography can be invaluable at times. In the case of The Lost Kingdom, it would seem that there was a lot of work done. In July 2023, Orm actor Patrick Wilson seemingly confirmed reshoots had taken place around that time. Within a few days of that news hitting the web, it was also reported that Ben Affleck’s Batman would not appear as planned. 

While not much was made of Dolph Lundgren’s role in the leadup to the movie, there was a considerable amount of speculation swirling around Amber Heard. It was Heard herself who confirmed during her testimony amid her defamation case with ex-husband Johnny Depp that Mera – the character she plays – had been relatively cut out of the new script. However, director James Wan stated that Mera was always set to play a smaller role this time around. 

Neither Dolph Lundgren nor Amber Heard are likely to reprise their roles in upcoming DC movies due to the end of the DCEU and the imminent rise of the DCU. Some may continue to wonder how their characters may have figured in before rewrites and reshoots, but most are likely looking to the future at this point. And, while he’s apparently “disappointed” with how everything panned out, it seems Lundgren is simply going to move on as well. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still playing in theaters. You can also stream the first movie using a Max subscription and, with that membership, you can also watch the DC movies in order.

In 2018, one year after Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry came to the forefront in Justice League, Aquaman was released in theaters (and can currently be streamed with a Max subscription). But what some of you may not know is that the DC movie starring Jason Momoa was one of two possible stories that audiences could have seen. While David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall wrote the movie that was ultimately delivered to the masses, Kurt Johnstad, one of the writers behind the Zack Snyder-helmed Netflix movie Rebel Moon, penned his own Aquaman script. Now Johnstad has opened up to CinemaBlend about this script, including the Westerns it was based on and why director James Wan decided not to use it.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Johnstad in conjunction with the release of Rebel Moon to the Netflix movie schedule, and with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also now playing in theaters and wrapping up the DC Extended Universe, I inquired about the writer’s past with DC’s King of the Seven Seas. He started off by saying that while he’s never seen Aquaman (which has strictly been a “timing thing”), he loves Jason Momoa and described James Wan as “fantastic.” Johnstad then opened up about how he came aboard Aquaman with these words:

An Excalibur-inspired Aquaman movie was enough to pique my interest, but Kurt Johnstad name-dropping The Outlaw Josey Wales and The Man With No Name really had me wondering what could have been. Both are Clint Eastwood-centric, with the former 1976 movie also being directed by the man who played the title protagonist, and the latter being the actor’s character from the Dollars Trilogy, which consisted of A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Furthermore, this would have been a darker take on the Aquaman mythology, which apparently played into why this version of the movie never got made, judging by what Johnstad said next:

While Kurt Johnstad could have gone along with James Wan’s suggestions on where to pivot the Aquaman story, he didn’t want to compromise the vision he’s already started putting together. So in the end, Warner Bros. requested that he cease work on the superhero movie, and the more lighthearted script penned by Will Beall and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (who wrote The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) was greenlit instead. But Johnstad doesn’t hold any ill will towards this creative endeavor turning out the way it did, and he summarized his short stint on Aquaman to me as follows:

It sounds like Kurt Johnstad’s version of Aquaman would have made a nice companion piece to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, in that we would have seen Arthur Curry’s mission to find his trident taking some darker turns. Johnstad’s mention of The Man With No Name also has me thinking that Arthur would have embarked on this journey by himself, or at least allies like Mera and Vulko wouldn’t have factored into the story as heavily as they did in the finalized Aquaman movie we got. Although Aquaman earned mixed critical reception, it proved to be a commercial powerhouse, making $1.152 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing DC movie of all time.

Alas, its sequel hasn’t performed nearly as well, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom earning tepid reviews and barely making a splash at the box office. With the DCEU now over and the new DC Universe shared continuity getting up to start, it’s unclear what the future holds in store for this character, and there are rumblings that Jason Momoa will shift to playing the antihero Lobo. Meanwhile, Netflix subscribers can see Kurt Johnstad’s work in Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire on the streaming platform now, and Part Two: The Scargiver will follow on April 19, 2024.

One of the final 2023 movie releases, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is finally here, and with it marks the official end of the DC Extended Universe. The DC Universe Chapter One slate will then kick off a new shared continuity, but there are several DCEU actors who are sticking around to keep playing their roles, like Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and John Cena as Peacemaker. Because of this, there’s been talk about whether we’ll see more from Jason Momoa’s Aquaman in the DC Universe, and Peter Safran, who co-runs DC Studios with James Gunn, opened up about the actor’s future as The Lost Kingdom wraps up this chapter of DC movies history.

It was just a few days ago that Momoa said it was “up to the fans” if he’d continue playing Aquaman, and now Safran has addressed the distinct possibility that The Lost Kingdom will mark the last time we see this version of Arthur Curry, who first appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Here’s what the producer had to say on this subject while speaking at an Aquaman 2 event in at the IWC Schaffhausen boutique in Beverly Hills (via Independent):

Although Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hasn’t earned a lot of positive critical reception, Jason Momoa’s time as the underwater-breathing superhero has generally been praised since 2016. Following his Batman v Superman cameo, he made his full debut in Justice League, and counting Zack Snyder’s Justice League and his brief appearances in the Peacemaker Season 1 finale and The Flash’s end-credit scene, The Lost Kingdom marks his seventh outing as Arthur (eighth if you also want to loop in the Aquaman from The LEGO Movie 2: The Second One). That’s definitely more than most people 

Still, Peter Safran didn’t clarify whether this is indeed the end of the Aquaman road, although his comment about The Lost Kingdom indicates that story was planned out in a way where the character’s journey ends at a reasonable place. Back in October, James Wan did say he’d be open to directing Aquaman 3, but considering that Wonder Woman 3 was scrapped, I find it hard to believe this threequel would stand a better chance of happening. Still, even though the DC Universe is technically a new reality, that’s not to say Momoa couldn’t continue playing Aquaman, just not the same one we’ve seen active in the DCEU.

However, let’s not dismiss that Safran said that Jason Momoa will “always have a home at DC.” Meaning even if he’s done playing Aquaman, he could simply play another character. That may just be what’s happening, as it’s been reported that the actor has “engaged in talks” to play the Czarnian antihero Lobo in the DC Universe, and he’d debut as the character in either Superman: Legacy or his own standalone movie. It’s also important to remember the cryptic video Momoa posted in January where he teased “great news” he received during a meeting with Warner Bros.

Whatever the future holds in store for Jason Momoa DC-wise, CinemaBlend will let you know what this is once concrete details roll in. For now, read our review of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and as Peter Safran mentioned, Momoa also has the Minecraft movie coming up for April 4, 2025.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the sequel to the highest-grossing DC movie ever, so all things being equal, expectations for the new film would be high. Things are not equal, however, as we know the current iteration of the DC universe on film is ending with this movie, and based on the critic's response to the new film, it sounds like everybody knew there was no future here.

While Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom isn’t without its charms, the general consensus appears that the movie is largely aimless. While the movie finds its footing, to some degree, later on, the movie struggles in its initial setup IGN’s Amelia Emberwing says… 

The thing that does help the movie pick up steam is when Patrick Wilson’s Orm joins the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom cast, and the pair become an unlikely team. James Wan has said he saw the Aquaman sequel as a buddy comedy, and it sounds like, as one, it works pretty well. Writing for Inverse Hoi-Tran Bui says… 

The strong chemistry between Momoa and Wilson is remarked on by several critics, but in pretty much all cases, the view is that it isn’t enough to save the movie because everything else is a mess. Tessa Smith at Mama’s Geeky writes... 

While the movie may be good for a few laughs thanks to Momoa and Wilson, one of the issues, according to Valerie Complex at Deadline is that the movie is full of too many laughs. Ultimately the movie gets so silly that you can’t take it seriously, even when you should. She explained… 

And while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, may struggle in the first act, before having some fun in the second act, it all falls apart again for the third act, as the movie’s finale just doesn’t have the weight that it should, due to badly handled stakes. According to THR …

So it looks like the DCEU is going out with a whimper, not a bang. That’s maybe not surprising but it is disappointing. If you want to find out for yourself Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s release date is this Friday.  

The sequel to the highest-grossing DC movie ever is almost here. In another time that might have been a bigger deal, but as things currently stand the final movie in the current DC universe isn’t looking to match the success of its predecessor. Beyond that, the future of Aquaman as a character is one of the big questions we still have regarding James Gunn’s rebooted DCU.

Speaking with Etalk, Momoa discussed the fact that this appeared to be the end of the road for his version of Aquaman, though he did leave the door open to the possibility of returning. He says the ultimate decision of what happens is likely up to the fans, and whether or not they want to see more. Momoa shared:

Certainly, if Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom turns out to be a massive hit, James Gunn and Peter Safran are going to take notice of that. Aquaman is one character currently missing from the DCU’s Gods and Monsters, the first chapter of the universe that has been laid out. But if there are no plans for Aquaman in any upcoming DC movies, that certainly means that when it comes time to make plans, Momoa’s Aquaman can be included.

Of course, that assumes Momoa has the time. The actor has indicated that while there may not be more Aquaman in his future, there is something in his future regarding the new DCU. Momoa has talked to James Gunn and the indication is the architect of the DCU has a place for him, and if it isn’t Aquaman it’s something else. It’s been suggested Momoa might be in line to play the alien Lobo.

If this is the end, which does seem to be the most likely situation, Momoa is clearly happy with the time he spent with Aquaman. If nothing else he showed that a character that had previously been a punchline could truly be something more. 

Hopefully we’ll see Aquaman again, even if it’s a new actor playing a different version of the character in an upcoming movie. But whoever that is will have Momoa to thank.

There are a few key characteristics all of the great superheroes have in common: they kick a lot of butt, put their lives in danger to save the everyman, and they give us an assortment of memorable quotes and classic one-liners that are then planted all over the internet, posters, and T-shirts for the rest of time. Throughout his time in the DCEU, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman has done all three, and then some, be it in his standalone 2018 movie, Aquaman, or the 2017 crossover film, Justice League (and the extended Zack Snyder’s Justice League). The half-human, half-Atlantean superhero provided several quotes that are still just as awesome all these years later.

As part of our partnership with AMC Theatres, where you can now purchase tickets to see Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in IMAX, we’ve gone back and revisited the superhero’s previous film appearances and come up with a list of seven memorable movie quotes we can’t get enough of. Please enjoy…

You Killed Innocent People. You Ask the Sea For Mercy (Aquaman)

Just as heroes are born from consequential, life-changing events, so are villains, and that’s the case early in Aquaman. After David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his father, Jesse (Michael Beach), lead a team of pirates in the hijacking of a Russian submarine, the elder Kane is trapped under a torpedo, leaving his son to beg Aquaman for assistance. In a decision that would later come to haunt him, Arthur Curry tells him “You killed innocent people. You ask the sea for mercy.”

In his father’s dying moments, David, who would go on to adopt the Black Manta moniker, vows revenge and sets out to make Aquaman pay for not saving his father. The hero’s decision, or lack thereof, sets in motion the path for the film’s secondary villain, one who will make his presence known in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

I Am The Protector Of The Deep. I Am Aquaman (Aquaman)

A lot of the great superhero movies end with the hero (or another character) saying their character’s name before the credits roll. Tony Stark’s “I am Iron Man” moment and James Gordon’s “He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a dark knight” line at the end of their respective 2008 box office juggernauts close that chapter while also hinting at what’s to come in the future.

Aquaman ends similarly with Jason Momoa’s titular character paying respect to his lighthouse keeper father and queen mother for making him who he is through the grand line: “They made me what I am: a son of the land, a king of the seas. I am a protector of the deep. I am… Aquaman” as he is seen rising from the surface. 

‘Strong Man Is Strongest Alone.’ You Ever Heard Of That? (Justice League)

When we first meet Arthur Curry in Justice League, he’s not yet the team player he would become later in the movie and his first solo outing in Aquaman, which came out a year after the release of the 2017 superhero ensemble film. In one of the best scenes of the film, when Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) attempts to put together a team to take on the big bad, Steppenwolf, he fails to win over Arthur and recruit him for his team.

After going through the lore and connections with the small fishing community, Aquaman walks back to the ocean and tells Batman, “‘Strong man is strongest alone,’ you ever heard of that?” a total butchering of the quote. This sentiment is great in the moment but also the grand scheme of things now that we have the luxury of looking back on what followed.

Put Two Ships In The Open Sea, Without Wind Or Tide, And, At Last, They Will Come Together (Aquaman)

Aquaman’s opening line – “Put two ships in the open sea, without wind or tide, and, at last, they will come together” – is technically a Jules Verne quote, but it’s just too good to leave off. This, combined with the “I am Aquaman” moment from the end of the movie, bookends the character’s first solo outing and puts into perspective what is important to the character and what the film is all about.

The short and sweet exploration of how Arthur Curry’s parents came together and gave birth to one of the strongest superheroes is powerful, to the point, and wonderful.

Something, Something Trident (Aquaman)

Though he can brood with the best of them as well as let out some strikingly poignant lines, Aquaman is also known to be hilarious. Like, laugh-out-loud-in-a-crowded-theater funny. When he and Mera (Amber Heard) are trying to find King Atlan’s long-lost trident in Aquaman, the hero doesn’t listen to the incredibly important plan that would have failed miserably if he was on his own and responds with, “Something, something trident.”

Hilarious and quick one-liners like this, when pulled off effectively, add so much to a movie, whether it be adding levity to a tense situation or, like in the case of Aquaman, grounding our heroes.

None Are Taken Back From The Darkness, Not Without Giving One Up In Return (Zack Snyder’s Justice League)

Zack Snyder’s Justice League not only expanded upon the (relatively) much shorter Justice League, but it also gave its characters a greater sense of depth and meaning. When the team is preparing to resurrect Superman (Henry Cavill), Arthur Curry and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) have a bonding moment when the latter completes the former’s sentence when he says, “None are taken back from the darkness, not without giving one up in return.” 

This subtle bonding moment between the two heroes says more about their relationship than massive action sequences or anything else. It alludes to what lies ahead as well as their peoples’ shared history and previous conflicts.

Permission To Come Aboard (Aquaman)

Aquaman’s arrival to prevent David Kane and his band of high-tech pirates from stealing a Russian sub is a tremendous hero moment in the middle of an awesome action sequence that kicks Aquaman into high gear. After busting his way through the hatch, throwing back his hair, and looking like a half-human, half-Atlantean superhero, Jason Momoa’s character lets out “Permission to come aboard” with the smirkiest smirk that has ever been smirked.

Sure, it’s kind of cheesy and undeniably silly, but it’s fun and memorable, two qualities that make superhero movies so much fun. 

For two-and-a-half movies, Arthur Curry has given audiences great action, a lot of heart, and some unforgettable movie quotes. If you want to see what Aquaman has in store for us when he teams up with his half-brother Orm in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, go ahead and purchase your tickets at AMC Theatres, where you’ll be able to see the final installment in the DCEU on the big screen starting December 22.

The first Aquaman made over $1 billion at the global box office, making it the biggest hit of the modern DC film universe. One might expect that fans would be looking forward to the sequel with anticipation, and but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. Numerous delays, controversy surrounding the role (or lack thereof) of Amber Heard, the fact that the movie comes at the tail end of the current DC universe before a reboot, and simply a less-than-stellar buzz have all combined to create a movie surrounded by negativity. Director James Wan is aware of what’s being said, but he’s not worrying about it much.

The sequel to Aquaman was given the green light quickly after the first movie became a massive hit, but it’s now been five years since that movie came out. James Wan tells Empire (via The Direct) that he’s been working on the film for nearly that entire time, and while he’s simply happy to have the movie coming out, he does call it the “noisiest” movie he’s ever been part of. Wan said… 

A lot of the “noise” surrounded the role of Amber Heard in the sequel. There was a concerted effort by some who took the side of Johnny Depp in the dueling defamation lawsuits that wanted to see Heard removed entirely from the film. Petitions were started that argued for exactly that. Heard’s role has reportedly been significantly reduced compared to the first movie, but Wan claims that was due to the story he wanted to tell and did not have anything to do with Heard herself.

Beyond Heard, however, there seems to be a general negative buzz around Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Perhaps because a lot of people know that the current DC Universe is coming to an end, there just isn’t the excitement for the movie there might otherwise be. But Wan says that whatever all the negativity for the movie right now might mean, it will all fade away eventually, and the movie itself will still be there. He continued… 

The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom release date is still a few weeks away, which may in the end just mean more negativity between now and then. But Wan is almost certainly correct that eventually the movie will stand alone and it will be judged on its own merits. 

Thanks to the legal battles between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, we know a lot more about the behind-the-scenes workings of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom than we do for most movies that are still a couple of months from release. One of the biggest pieces of news was Heard claiming that her role in the sequel actually shrank over time. James Wan has explained his reasoning for Mera’s smaller role previously, but admits that this did result in her role shrinking over time.

Jason Momoa and Amber Heard worked together throughout the first Aquaman movie, but her character Mera is largely absent from the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer, and reports are her role in the sequel is much smaller. Director James Wan told Empire (via The Direct) that he had a plan from the outset to make romance a major part of the first film, but not the sequel, which is why Heard’s role was paired down as the script went through revisions. The director explained…

During the defamation trials of Depp and Heard it was suggested that there was an issue of chemistry between Momoa and Heard that led to the decision to pair down the role of Hera for the sequel. But according to Wan he was always planning to make a movie that would focus on the characters of Aquaman and Orm, and that meant shrinking the role of Mera to make more room for Patrick Wilson’s Orm. 

Certainly, whatever the reason, it’s understandable that Amber Heard could be frustrated, as it sounds like she filmed more scenes for the Aquaman sequel, that ended up on the cutting room floor. One doesn’t imagine any actor likes to see their work disappear. And considering Heard’s situation at the time, and the fact that there were loud corners of social media calling for her removal from Aquaman 2, it would be impossible not to see a connection.

According to James Wan, however, Amber Heard’s statements were accurate, but the reason for them just wasn’t clear to her. It seems the director had a specific idea to make a buddy comedy-style film and hey, who doesn’t want to see a superhero movie inspired by Tango & Cash? That honestly sounds like a film that could be a lot of fun.

The DC Universe has had plenty of peaks and valleys since it began with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. There’s been some major behind the scenes shake ups, including James Gunn and Peter Safran recently being named co-CEOs of the DCU. But a number of upcoming DC movies were already in the can when that change in leadership occurred, including Aquaman 2. It turns out that one of the franchise’s wildest characters has an expanded role in The Lost Kingdom, and I’m digging director Jame Wan’s tease.

The first Aquaman movie was a success partly because it had a unique visual language and James Wan did some excellent world building. One fan favorite character was the giant drumming octopus, which was featured prominently in the first movie’s marketing. James Wan spoke to Empire about the sequel, and revealed that said Octopus (named Topo) is actually a full fledged character in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. In his words:

Honestly, sign me up. The Aquaman franchise is decidedly more bonkers than other corners of the old DCEU, and it sounds like James Wan is definitely going to be bringing on the weird with the long-awaited DC sequel. Case in point: Topo’s larger role.

Wan’s comments to Empire are a prime example of what he learned from the first Aquaman movie. The Saw filmmaker was able to see what audiences responded to, and then deliver on what they might like to see. And I can’t wait to see Topo’s scenes with Arthur Curry in Aquaman 2.

So what was it like filming those new Topo sequences, especially since the character needs CGI to truly be brought to life? James Wan shared that directing Momoa, who is rumored to be switching from Aquaman to Lobo in the new DCU. As Wan put it:

Is it December 20th yet? These scenes sound super fun, especially with Jason Momoa flexing his comedic muscles once more. Hopefully Topo also gets involved in whatever action the upcoming DC flick will bring to theaters.

Wan’s comments to Empire come as fans are still questioning how big certain roles in The Lost Kingdom are. Specifically, there are rumors that Amber Heard’s Mera is barely in the project. After all, she was noticeably missing from Aquaman 2’s trailer. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The winter’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom may have drawn the short end of the stick when it comes to upcoming DC movies considering the flick directed by James Wan will mark the final entry in a universe that is about to press the reboot button. Ahead of Jason Momoa’s latest outing as Arthur Curry hitting theaters in just a couple of months, Wan spoke to his thoughts on returning to direct a third Aquaman movie. 

Along with talking about a host of rumors around Aquaman 2’s production, James Wan shared his current stance on returning to Atlantis for another sequel after The Lost Kingdom. In his words: 

During an interview with Empire, Wan left things open-ended when it comes to his future with the Aquaman movies. As he said, he’s actually never ended up helming a second sequel to one of his franchises, which of course includes the hugely popular Conjuring universe, but he’s not one to discount an opportunity before he has the chance to explore the possibilities. You can check out the trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom below: 

As it stands right now, there is no Aquaman 3 in development as Warner Bros. certainly awaits how The Lost Kingdom does at the box office this holiday season. The movie was in production amidst Warner Bros seeing massive changes when its parent company merged with Discovery Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery, led by new CEO David Zaslav, in early 2022. About a year ago, James Gunn and Peter Safran were named the co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios.

Early this year, Safran and Gunn unveiled their new DCU Chapter One, which includes reboots for characters like Superman, Green Lantern and Supergirl, and so far there's no Aquaman to be found. Gunn has named some established characters being carried over to the new universe, including Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, and John Cena’s Peacemaker, but Momoa’s Aquaman has yet to be mentioned. The actor has shared that he thinks Aquaman “will be involved” with the universe’s future, but it truly seems up in the air for the time being. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also stars Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman, Amber Heard and Randall Park. What’s next for Momoa’s superhero will likely come down to how the upcoming sequel does with audiences when it hits big screens this December 20. 

As one will see when looking over the DC movies in order, after the theatrical cut of Justice League’s arrival in November 2017, Aquaman followed in December 2018. However, aside from a brief mention from Mera of Arthur Curry’s battle with Steppenwolf, the Jason Momoa-led DC movie didn’t have any wider DC Extended Universe ties. However, that wasn’t always the case, as concept art has surfaced revealing that Arthur’s Justice League teammates were originally supposed to have a major role in Aquaman.

Conceptual designer Ed Natividad posted some artwork on Artstation of Batman’s Knightcrawler, which had been introduced in Justice League, battling some Atleantean vehicles in the middle of a city street. The artwork was accompanied by the below caption:

The final version of Aquaman saw Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry vanquish Patrick Wilson’s Ocean Master and his forces with help from numerous Atlantean allies, but now we know there’s a version of the story where the Justice League would have assisted their water-breathing compatriot. This calls to mind DC Comics’ Throne of Atlantis storyline, which saw Ocean Master, a.k.a. Orm, attacking the surface world early on during the New 52 era. However, aside from Batman, it’s unclear if the rest of the DCEU’s Justice League would have appeared in Aquaman, or only a few other members.

Interestingly enough, this now makes two times where a Batman appearance in an Aquaman movie was scrapped. Ben Affleck reprised Bruce Wayne during Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s reshoots, and it was also reported that Michael Keaton had filmed a scene playing his Bruce Wayne back when he was set to take over as the DCEU’s Batman. Affleck came in at a time when The Flash was intended to be released after The Lost Kingdom, thus making Keaton’s inclusion confusing, though ultimately The Flash ended up hitting theaters first. As things stand now, neither Affleck nor Keaton are expected to appear in Aquaman 2.

Although it earned mixed critical reception, Aquaman made over $1.1 billion worldwide and remains the highest-grossing DC movie of all time. Five years later, Jason Momoa’s character is back in the spotlight for The Lost Kingdom, and like its predecessor, it will be a “very standalone film,” per director James Wan. In addition to this being the final movie in the DCEU continuity, Aquaman 2 also looks like it may be Momoa’s final outing as Arthur Curry, as he’s reportedly in talks to play Lobo in the new DC Universe. In fact, as some bad news for SnyderVerse fans, none of the Justice League actors are expected to reprise their roles in the shared continuity being spearheaded by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Make sure you’re refreshed on what happened during Aquaman by streaming it with a Max subscription ahead of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s release on December 20. It will be one of the final entries on the 2023 movies calendar, and among the upcoming DC movies lined up in the years to follow include Superman: Legacy (which already has a stacked cast) and The Brave and the Bold.

DC movies fans are only a few months away from the end of an era, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom wrapping up the DC Extended Universe in December, and the DC Universe taking its pace. While there will be a few DCEU holdovers sticking around in the new shared continuity spearheaded by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, including Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller and John Cena’s Peacemaker, apparently Jason Momoa’s Aquaman will not be sticking around for the DCU. Instead, there are reportedly plans to include the actor in a new role.

Within its report alleging that Momoa got drunk, dressed like Johnny Depp and tried to get Amber Heard “fired” on the set of The Lost Kingdom, Variety mentioned that none of the lead actors cast by Zack Snyder for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League will reprise their roles in the DC Universe. In Momoa’s case, the publications’s sources claim that Momoa has “engaged in talks” to play the antihero Lobo, and would debut as the character in either Superman: Legacy or his own standalone movie. 

Rumors have been swirling for a while about Jason Momoa potentially transitioning from Aquaman to Lobo, but when asked about this in November 2022, the actor played coy and simply said that “that would be amazing if that happened.” By the following January, Momoa posted a cryptic video after meeting with DC, which spawned renewed speculation that he might be playing Lobo going forward. Naturally his new report is only adding fuel to the fire, though it sounds like nothing has been set in stone just yet.

Created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen, and debuting in the pages of 1983’s Omega Men #3, Lobo is a Czarnian powerhouse who was originally depicted as a straightforward villain, but then brought back in the ‘90s as an antiheroic bounty hunter and quickly became a fan-favorite. In addition to appearing in animated shows like Superman: The Animated Series, Young Justice and Justice League Action, he was previously played in live-action by Emmett J. Scanlan in the short-lived Syfy series Krypton. 

If the DC Universe’s Lobo, whether he was played by Jason Momoa or someone else, were to first appear in Superman: Legacy, that would give it something in common with Superman: Man of Tomorrow, as that 2020 animated movie also featured the character in a prominent role. Unlike Man of Tomorrow though, Legacy will not be an origin story. Considering that Superman: Legacy’s cast already includes superheroes like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho, throwing Lobo into the mix doesn’t sound farfetched, although then the question becomes whether he’s be a major supporting character or simply cameo.

It’s unclear when or even if we’ll receive official confirmation about Jason Momoa playing Lobo, but for now, fans of his take on Arthur Curry can look forward to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opening in theaters on December 20. That, along with Superman: Legacy’s arrival on July 11, 2025, are just some of the upcoming DC movies that are officially slated, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for our continuing coverage on them.

As this year has played out, there have been a number of questions regarding the future of DC Films, the upcoming DC movies, and the hard reboot that James Gunn and Peter Safran appear ready to implement. And now that the WGA has settled the issues that were causing them to strike, Gunn became a little more vocal on social media about his plans, and their impact on what will now be known as the DCU. And I think that’s really bad news for Jason Momoa and his upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Taking to Threads, James Gunn started to clarify a few items for DC fans who were asking him questions. He stated that nothing that happened prior to the upcoming series Creature Commandos will be viewed as canon to the overall stories he, Safran, and their collaborators will be trying to tell. As Gunn pointed out:

Gunn confirmed that the returning actors from the DCEU to the DCU would include Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and John Cena as Peacemaker. He did not say these were the ONLY actors staying on in their roles. But he didn’t include anyone else. 

Like Jason Momoa, the current Aquaman. 

Now, Jason Momoa has been linked to DC rumors that he might play the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, and yeah, he basically looks the part and would be a tremendous pick to play that character. But that doesn’t help the fact that Momoa will be leading Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in a few months. We saw the trailer for it recently. And it’s the next comment Gunn left on Threads that has me worried. 

When asked if audience members will need to watch any previous DC movies in order to understand what is happening in the DCU, he replied:

That makes Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom kind of useless, doesn’t it? I mean, James Wan is a terrific filmmaker. His original Aquaman movie made more than $1 billion. There’s an audience out there for the continued adventures of Arthur Currey (Momoa), but now we know for sure that this will be the last movie from the DCEU and, by extension, the SnyderVerse that so many fans love. If there’s a mid-credits tease in the movie, we know that it won’t go anywhere. And it raises more questions about that unusual mid-credits scene in The Flash that had Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen with Momoa’s Aquaman. That means nothing right? 

In the big picture, it feels like DC wants to skip to Creature Commandos, a seven-episode series that will arrive in 2024… but we don’t know when. It is labeled to be the first installment in the upcoming DCU, an animated series led by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) that features a team of Rick Flag Sr., Nina Mazursky, Doctor Phosphorus, Eric Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, G.I. Robot, and Weasel. The next phase of DC Films is coming. It just has nothing to do with what’s coming later this year.

The next chapter in Arthur Curry’s story is getting closer to reaching shore, as Aquman and the Lost Kingdom is set to hit theaters in just a few months. This water-soaked installment will see Jason Momoa return to play the lead role, and he’ll be joined by a number of other returning stars from the first movie as well. However, director James Wan has officially confirmed that one franchise alum didn’t return for this latest installment – Willem Dafoe, who played the role of Vulko in the first movie. In addition to giving that confirmation, Wan also provided an explanation for why Dafoe didn’t make the trip to Atlantis this time. 

Yes, Aquaman 2 does already have an impressive cast that – in addition to Jason Momoa – includes the likes of Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman. However, pretty much any film would be blessed to count Wilem Dafoe amongst its ranks. James Wan discussed the actor’s absence from the highly anticipated sequel while chatting with EW and explained that it was simply Dafoe’s schedule that kept him from signing on. As disappointing as that may be for some, the Conjuring director went on to explain that Vulko’s exclusion did allow for one positive development: 

In the original 2018 film, Vulko was a mentor to Arthur Curry, training him for years while also serving as the vizier within the kingdom of Atlantis, By doing so, he helped the half-human/half-Atlantean man get in touch with his undersea roots. Vulko remained loyal to the legacy of Queen Atlanna amid Prince Orm’s takeover of the Atlantean throne and was imprisoned for that. By the end of the movie, Vulko was still alive and, like many of his constituents, he opted to follow newly installed king Arthur.

It’s quite understandable just why Wilem Dafoe (who found Aquaman to be different from his Spider-Man experience) was unable to return, as he’s been quite busy over these past few years. Some of the movies he has on the horizon – including Poor Things and Inside – had production schedules that overlapped with the DC film’s. Though it’s a bit of a bummer that he won’t be popping into the final DCEU movie, it’s at least great that his omission opened up more narrative possibilities for Nicole Kidman’s Atlanna. While she played a solid role in the first movie, the Lost Kingdom trailer seems to tease that she’ll be pivotal to the events of the sequel. It’ll be quite interesting to see how James Wan and screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick add layers to the character. The prospect of Kidman being given more to do is also exciting.

And of course, the presence of most of the other original stars is sure to enthuse fans. Just about everyone is returning, including Amber Heard, who’s reprisal of Mera has been subject to speculation as of late. Nevertheless, Heard did appear in the trailer (briefly), and fans had thoughts about that. James Wan fielded a question about Mera’s reduced role being due to the attention surrounding Heard and her legal issues with ex-husband Johnny Depp. However, it would seem that nothing changed with his story plans in that regard, as Mera was apparently always meant to take a backseat this time around. That’s because this story put Arthur and Orm’s relationship at the forefront. 

The future of the Aquaman franchise seems uncertain, with the launch of the DCU franchise on the horizon. This could very well be the final time we see Jason Momoa’s version of Arthur Curry as well as his allies. But if this movie proves to be a hit and studio co-head James Gunn and co. want to keep the series going, I wouldn’t mind seeing Willem Dafoe return as Vulko. That’s on the condition that his schedule matches up, of course. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – one of the biggest titles on the schedule of 2023 new movie releases – opens in theaters on December 20. To prepare, you can stream its 2018 predecessor using a Max subscription.

After a little more than a decade, launching with Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel back in 2013, the DC Extended Universe is coming to an end later this year. New DC Studios CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are set to create a new canon that will launch in 2025 with the release of Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, and that means concluding the current era of DC blockbusters. That puts the upcoming Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom in an interesting position, the film technically set to be the last DCEU movie… but that’s not something that seems to be having a particularly significant impact on the way director James Wan sees the movie and star Jason Momoa’s superhero future.

In advance of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom debuting its first trailer today, the filmmaker participated in a press preview event this week, and he was asked about how his upcoming movie fits into the quickly shifting plans for DC Comics on the big screen. Wan expressed that he is obviously “aware” of the current franchise upheaval, but he added that his new movie is in a way built to be independent and insular because so much of it takes place in what is essentially a different world:

There’s no hiding the fact that this is a DC Extended Universe movie – with Jason Momoa reprising his role as Arthur Curry/Aquaman from Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Justice League, Aquaman, Peacemaker and The Flash – but there is a distance that evidently exists between what’s going on underwater in Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom and what’s going on in the surface world. The main focus is telling a follow-up story to the one that unfolds in 2018’s Aquaman, which, as noted by James Wan, also didn’t have deep-seeded ties into the larger goings on of the DCEU.

In the upcoming blockbuster, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is having a tough time balancing life as both a father and the King of Atlantis… but things gets far more stressful when Black Manta (Yahya Abdul Mateen II) resurfaces with passion-driven plans to kill the hero. This time around, the villain is outfitted with the powerful and dangerous Black Trident, and in order to both survive and try to save the world, Aquaman must try and team up with his incarcerated brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson).

Further discussing Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom’s relationship with the DCEU, James Wan added,

So what does this mean for the future? Back in January, DC Studios co-CEO (and Aquaman producer) Peter Safran told us that Jason Momoa has envisioned his journey as Arthur Curry being a blockbuster trilogy. That being said, plans for Aquaman as a character have not yet been officially announced in the developing DC Universe, so what will happen with the hero after the release of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom is unclear. We probably won’t have any official answers about what will happen until at least 2024, but for what it’s worth, James Wan is teasing that the end of his new blockbuster sets up what Aquaman 3 would be. Said the director,

We’ll just have to wait for the big screen arrival of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom to get all of the answers we’re craving – and that’s now only about three months away. Featuring a cast that also includes Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Temuera Morrison, the new film will be in theaters everywhere on December 20. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about the release, and head over to our Upcoming DC Movies and Upcoming DC TV guides to learn about everything that the comic book franchise has coming in the next few years.

Despite the fact that the DC film universe as we know it is coming to an end, 2023 was still a big year for DC movies with The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom all coming out this year. And considering one of those was the sequel to a billion-dollar blockbuster, it’s been more than a little strange that we’ve heard very little about the Aquaman sequel. But just as fans were wondering what was going on, they got an answer.

Overnight a 30-second teaser was released that gave us the best look yet at Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and revealed that a full trailer will arrive in four days' time. The teaser answers a big question that fans had as many were wondering just where the trailer was for a movie that opens in barely more than three months.  

The Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom Teaser Is Here, And The First Trailer Is On The Way 

The teaser spot dropped online overnight. And while it doesn’t exactly reveal a great deal about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, for the fans who have been waiting forever to see it, it will hopefully be enough. At the very least it should keep the fans excited for the next few days, as the main point of the teaser is to announce that a full trailer will be arriving in four days. That will almost certainly give people more to talk about, as it will likely give us a lot more actual information about the film itself.

What the trailer does do is show off more of the crazy underwater special effects that the first Aquaman wowed people with, like Jason Momoa riding a seahorse. Because of course we want to see that. It also confirms that Black Manta is on the attack, planning to destroy everything our hero cares about. We see what appears to be his father’s lighthouse on fire.

Fans Have Been Asking For The Aquaman 2 Trailer For Months 

With Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom only three months away there are a lot of fans who have been calling for a trailer. Some wondered if the ongoing Hollywood strikes would delay Aquaman 2, as several major blockbusters have seen delays due to the strike. Since the first movie was so successful, some fans to expected a big marketing push. But many have suggested that since that’s not happening, there might be a reason, such as a lack of faith in the new film.  

It could be that the studio just doesn’t think audiences will embrace the new movie the way they did the last one. The fact is that Aquaman came out a long time ago, at least by franchise movie standards, which could make the studio feel that audiences may have lost interest, so it doesn’t want to spend too much promoting the sequel. 

Of course, there’s also the fact that we all know that the DCU under James Gunn is about to get underway, and that means that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is essentially the finale of the current universe. We don’t know where Aquaman will fit into this new franchise. Jason Momoa has teased some sort of future in James Gunn's DC universe, so maybe we'll see his Aquaman again, but maybe not.

Either way, it does look like the promotion of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is finally underway. This is surely a relief for fans, and possibly also for Aquaman director James Wan, who may have been waiting for this as much as anybody else.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters December 20th. 

In December 2018, a little over a year after Jason Momoa made his full DC Extended Universe debut as Arthur Curry in Justice League following a cameo in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Aquaman was released to the public. Once a running gag in Entourage, this movie ended up grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and remains the highest-grossing movie based on a DC Comics character. So it’s no wonder Warner Bros. Pictures greenlit a sequel, and yet nearly five years later, we’re still waiting for the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

If all goes according to the current plan, this upcoming DC movie will premiere in theaters right before 2023 concludes, but why has it taken so long for Aquaman 2 to arrive? That’s what we’re here to go over, and after going over these shifting release dates, let’s cross our fingers that yet another delay isn’t forthcoming.

First Release Date: December 16, 2022

Right off the bat, it’s important to note that the wait between Aquaman and Aquaman 2 was always going to be fairly lengthy. Warner Bros. officially confirmed the sequel was in development in February 2019 and scheduled it for December 16, 2022. The following month, producer Peter Safran told THR that he and director James Wan didn’t want to rush making Aquaman 2, and the latter was also already committed to making Malignant before returning to the underwater corners of the DCEU. In fact, it wasn’t until the DC FanDome event in August 2020 that Wan was confirmed to be taking the helming reins again.

By June 2021, Aquaman 2, now officially titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, began principal photography and finished shooting the following January. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic having interfered with numerous film production, and thus necessitating delays, for a while it looked like The Lost Kingdom would still make its original release date. Just a few months into post-production though, that changed.

Second Release Date: March 17, 2023

In March 2022, it was announced that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was being moved to March 17, 2023. Initially the reason for this date shift and the other DC and Warner Bros. movies being shuffled around at the time was simply attributed to “COVID-related” delays. Soon after through, it was clarified that many visual effects companies had seen their workloads logjam as a result of the pandemic, and needless to say The Lost Kingdom was one of the movies impacted. 

When you’re following a superhero who explores underwater kingdoms and battles threats ranging from Black Manta to The Trench, obviously the visual effects need to look top-notch. So it’s understandable why Warner Bros. Decided to push The Lost Kingdom to early 2023. Ultimately though, that date didn’t stick either, with Shazam! Fury of the Gods later taking that March slot.

Third Release Date: December 25, 2023

By August 2022, Warner Bros. decided to push Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom yet again, shifting it to December 25, 2023. This meant that the sequel would roughly come out five full years after the first Aquaman, the same amount of time that passed between Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad. This delay was attributed to Warner Bros. Discovery wanting to, as THR put it, “spread out the marketing and distribution costs associated with releasing a studio tentpole.” This move followed a few weeks after WBD made the surprising decision to scrap the already-shot Batgirl, which had been intended to be released directly to Max subscribers. Now let’s talk about Aquaman 2’s current release date.

Current Release Date: December 20, 2023

Not all release date changes are as drastic as delaying movies by many months or even years. Occasionally  movie will actually be shifted to an earlier spot on the calendar. In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s case, Warner Bros. decided to move it to December 20, 2023. So rather than audiences having Christmas Day as their first opportunity to watch Arthur Curry’s big screen return, they’ll have a little extra time beforehand to view the sequel in case a trip to the theater on the holiday is not on the table. 

It’s unclear why WB specifically moved The Lost Kingdom’s release up five days, but it’s the only movie opening on the 20th. However, that’s not to say Aquaman 2 won’t be dealing with any major box office competition. The Universal Pictures/Illumination movie Migration opens two days later, and on Christmas Day, The Boys in the Boat from MGM and Ferrari from Neon and STXfilms both come out. Additionally, Warner Bros. is also releasing Wonka on the 15th and The Color Purple on the 25th. Granted, all that money goes back to the studio in the long run, but the public’s attention being divided among three WB movies within such a short span of time could result in their respective box office performances perhaps not meeting or exceeding exceptions.

So for now, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s fourth release date continues to stick… and yet, I can’t help but wonder if that will last. At the time of this writing, we’re a little over three months away from its arrival, and yet the first trailer still hasn’t been released. Additionally, there’s no indication that the SAG-AFTRA strike will end anytime soon, meaning if it’s still happening in November and December, Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Patrick Wilson and the rest of the cast won’t be able to promote the sequel. A movie of this scale certainly benefits from wide promotion, although that’s not to say it couldn’t still be successful without the actors doing press.

As of early August, there were reportedly no plans to move Aquaman 2 to another spot, and the first trailer premieres in a few days. However, considering that Warner Bros. pushed the originally November-slated Dune: Part Two to March 2024, there’s a chance the studio could change its mind and push The Lost Kingdom to next year too. After all, aside from Joker 2’s November 2024 release, there aren’t any other DC movies lined up for next year, and while the new DC Universe will technically kick off with the animated Creature Commandos series that’s also expected in 2024, its first movie, Superman: Legacy, which DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran consider to be the “true beginning” of this franchise. comes out in July 2025. That would still give The Lost Kingdom more than enough time to shine on its own as the final entry in the DCEU canon.

If Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is delayed for a fourth time, we’ll let you know about it. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend in the months ahead as we share more coverage on the highly-anticipated sequel. You’re also welcome to scan through the other 2023 new movie releases to plan your remaining trips to the theater this year accordingly.

Horror has many masters. Mainly because there are several different types of horror, most of which are showcased on our list of the 30 best horror movies of all time. But James Wan and Jason Blum have been driving the car for horror fans for years now, collaborating together on the Insidious and Conjuring franchises, as well as cult masterpieces like Malignant. However, Wan has also transitioned over to superhero work, thanks to directing Aquaman and the upcoming DC movie Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. But he and Blum say that DC planning is nothing like horror planning. 

There’s a reason for that. The DC movies, and superhero films in general, come with an incredibly healthy budget. And horror films generally do not. This is how Blumhouse wins. They keep their costs down, and their profits high. So when I asked the duo, with Insidious: The Red Door hitting theaters, if they ever sat down to map out the timeline of Insidious stories, Jason Blum told me:

Which makes perfect sense. Concentrate on the movie that you are making, and make it as flawless as you can. If the audience responds, then start to think about taking them on the next step of the journey. However, as James Wan goes on to explain, there’s different pressure in the comic book world. A storyteller always has to be looking ahead. As Wan explains it to us:

Which is why I think James Wan has successfully transitioned from horror to superhero blockbusters. Because he does think about that bigger picture, and the larger world that is being created in something like Aquaman. Someone needs to explain this to Jason Momoa. Apparently he’s still baffled by Aquaman’s success, but he’ll be bracing for a fresh wave of popularity when his and James Wan’s sequel reaches theaters later this year. 

In the meantime, make sure that you check out Insidious: The Red Door, which Patrick Wilson directs as a continuation of the story presented in Insidious and Insidious 2. It’s in theaters as we speak. 

The following contains spoilers for the end of The Flash.

The Flash is a movie in a very weird place. The DC Universe that it was born into is coming to an end in only a few more months. That wasn’t completely understood back when the movie was made. And yet, for so many reasons The Flash is actually the perfect movie to end the current DC Universe as we wait to begin the new one, which is why it’s all the more strange that The Flash is somehow not the last movie in the current franchise. Hear me out.

In a few months, we’ll see Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is the last DC movie on the schedule under the old guard. In a couple of years the new DCU headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran will begin, and the characters of the current DC franchise are either being recast or entirely ignored, at least for now. So why the hell isn’t The Flash the note the studio decided to go out on?

The Flash Works Better If It’s The End Of The Franchise 

When you come to the end of something, it makes a lot of sense to look back at where you came from. When the MCU came to the end of its Infinity Saga it told a story of time travel and multiverses that saw characters revisit places the story had been before, and The Flash does largely the same thing, taking us back to the events of Man of Steel, though in a slightly modified version.

Not only that, The Flash incorporates elements of DC movies past by bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman. Considering the modern comic book movie craze is in no small part indebted to that movie, it’s a fitting film to celebrate. In my opinion, Keaton’s Batman and The Flash working together are a perfect bookending of three decades of DC heroes on the big screen.

And then the ending of The Flash takes things even further back. We see and hear nearly every previous version of Superman and Batman on the big and small screen as the different universes collide. We see George Reeve as Superman and Adam West’s classic Batman, even Christopher Reeve’s Superman makes an appearance along Helen Slater’s Supergirl. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to all of it before things start fresh in a couple of years.

Aquaman 2 And The Flash Could Have Easily Swapped Release Dates 

Which raises the question, why was the decision made to release Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom after The Flash? Both movies suffered from various delays related to the pandemic as well as the general delays that come with every movie production. As such, both movies have largely been done for a long time. There’s no reason that Aquaman 2 couldn’t have come out first.

At one point it was absolutely the plan to release the Aquaman sequel before The Flash, but then the decision was made last year to shift the releases of Aquaman and Shazam!: Fury of the Gods, while leaving the release date of The Flash intact, so Aquaman and the Loast Kingdom went from coming out three months before The Flash to six months after. 

James Wan has said the Arthur Curry-led film changed after the Gunn announcement. In addition, it's been rumored and it's possible that this decision was made because Aquaman 2 needed the extra time, but did it really need all the way until December? Couldn't it have moved to June and then The Flash could have been shifted to December? It's clear the studio has big expectations for Flash, and thus almost certainly wanted it in the prime summer slot, but big movies have made billions in December too, and if Flash is that good, it would have.

Even if the new Aquaman movie makes $1 billion at the box office as the last movie did, and even if it’s a truly great film in its own right, and even if some version of Batman shows up  ---which may still be happening -- it’s still going to be just an Aquaman movie. In my opinion, that’s not how this version of DC should have gone out.

Maybe There’s A Reason Aquaman 2 Will Be The End Of The DCEU

Unless, of course, there’s a reason that those release dates were swapped around. While most of what we know about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would seem to indicate it’s mostly a standalone Aquaman movie, we haven’t actually seen anything from it, so maybe there’s something we don’t know about the project that will make it a fitting end of the DCEU.

Jason Momoa does appear in The Flash’s mid-credits sequence, in a scene that, while fun, doesn’t seem to add anything to The Flash’s ending. It wouldn’t be the first time that a post-credits scene was used strictly for laughs, but considering that the scene did include the lead character of the last movie, it’s maybe a bit surprising that the scene didn’t tease anything about the next movie or do anything with Aquaman that might set him up for whatever is to come.

Except maybe it did? Perhaps there’s more going on in that mid-credits scene than we think, and we just don’t understand it because we haven’t seen the new Aquaman movie yet, and it will all make sense. Avengers: Endgame wasn’t the end the Phase Three of the MCU, after all. That was Spider-Man: Far From Home, which sort of acted as a post-script on the events of the massive climax. Perhaps that’s what Aquman and the Lost Kingdom is being set up to be. Of course, we knew that Far From Home was not going to be the final MCU movie, so where the chapter ended was maybe less important. Aquaman won’t be the end of a chapter, it will be the end of the story. 

Even when James Gunn and Peter Safran launch their new DCU, that doesn’t mean that the current era of DC films will be gone forever. In the same way that The Flash brought back so many classic versions of popular heroes, something similar could happen in the future of the DCU. Still, when we’re looking back on this particular era of DC Films years from now, many might not even remember that Aquaman 2 was where it ended. The Flash’s ending was so much more poetic. 

Obviously the following story is going to get into massive spoilers for The Flash. So if you haven’t yet seen the latest DC Movies feature, and still want to remain unaware, head on over to one of our other intriguing articles. 

There were a number of shocking developments at the end of The Flash that had us questioning where the dust settled in the DC Movies Multiverse. Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen returned to his original timeline… or so he thought. Because while he placed the can of tomatoes on the top shelf of the grocery store, allowing his father (Ron Livingston) to be acquitted, Barry eventually ran into Bruce Wayne, and it was George Clooney… not Ben Affleck. So the multiverse was off, and the Barry we’ve known has stopped in another universe. 

What do we think this secret DC ending means? On the surface, it means to me that Warner Bros. and DC can leave Ezra Miller in that universe, and potentially recast The Flash with a different actor. Even though the reviews for The Flash were positive and Miller’s performance was largely praised, the actor’s legal issues could continue to be an issue for the studio moving forward. The Flash went through the effort of showing that the main Justice League characters – like Batman and Superman – look different in the other universes.

But one Justice League member apparently looks the exact same in every universe.

Those who stayed until the very end of The Flash credits saw a scene where Barry (Ezra Miller) and Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) emerge from a bar, and Aquaman is wasted. Barry is explaining to Aquaman what happened to him when he traveled through the multiverse, saying Batman looked different everywhere he went. And Arthur comments, “But I looked the same everywhere you went?” Which Barry confirms. 

The line flies by. And in the context of the larger picture of the DC Universe of films, it creates some freedom for James Gunn and Peter Safran with regards to Jason Momoa. We already know that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is coming at the end of this year. What we don’t necessarily understand is where Arthur Curry fits into the continuity of the DC timeline. Barry exists in one timeline, where Batman is George Clooney. There’s the universe in which we started, where Ben Affleck is Batman. There’s a universe that exists that HAD a Batman played by Michael Keaton… but he died (and that was a canon event). 

But in all of those universes, according to that one line of dialogue, Aquaman looks like Jason Momoa. Every time. And that means DC can keep using Momoa as Arthur Curry if they wanted to. 

Now, Momoa has teased the fact that he might play a different DC character in the future. At the same time, the original Aquaman made more than a billion dollars, and if the sequel ends up matching that number, then you can guarantee that an Aquaman 3 will be added to the slate of films that Gunn and Safran have announced. And that one line of dialogue inserted into the Flash end credits scene means Momoa can stay on the table. Basically, that he HAS to stay on the table. Because it’s canon. Well played, Warner Bros. And good for Momoa. 

The Flash is now in theaters, with word of a possible The Flash 2 screenplay already in the works.

The process of filming underwater has advanced drastically over the past decade. Massive blockbusters from Avatar: The Way of Water to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever have refined the techniques available to visual artists to capture action that’s meant to take place underwater. And those visual tricks can only benefit such upcoming DC movies as the anticipated sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. So many of those movies can trace their techniques back to Zack Snyder’s work on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which had to capture Jason Momoa underwater when they gave fans the first look at Arthur Curry. And according to Snyder, it was a learning process, for sure. 

During a recent screening of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in Pasadena as part of SnyderCin 2023, Zack Snyder and his creative collaborators sat for a Q-and-A that I was lucky enough to moderate (which you can watch here). One of the questions that I asked visual effects supervisor John “D.J.” Des Jardin involved the approach that the team took to realizing the powers of the Justice League team members – many of which we were seeing on screen for the very first time. Des Jardin revealed that the very first thing that they shot for Batman v Superman was Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen breaking up a convenience store robbery, and said that the effects were relatively simple because it just involved lightning streaks.

But when he got around to explaining Aquaman for the movie, D.J. Des Jardin said:

It has been interesting watching the evolution of Arthur Curry in Zack Snyder’s DC films. By the time we got to Justice League, Arthur (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) would create air pockets in which to speak. And eventually, James Wan figured out how to present action “underwater” with the help of visual effects. But in the original Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Momoa was literally underwater. It looked like this: 

Even Snyder admitted that, while he was so excited about it at the time, once they started to film it, he quickly realized it was a mistake. As he told the audience:

But you learn on the job. And that technology likely will only improve in time, as James Cameron keeps working on Avatar movies, and Wan continues to refine the process in his Aquaman sequel, due in theaters in December. We got to see some footage from that sequel during CinemaCon in Las Vegas, and weighed in on how it looked. It’s one of several movies coming to theaters in 2023 that we have on our radar.   

It’s difficult to argue that the DC universe that started with Man of Steel and will end, based on everything we know, with The Flash, had something of a difficult life. There were some significant successes, to be sure, but there were also some pretty big disappointments. The biggest success, however, was also perhaps one of the biggest surprises. The highest-grossing DC Extended Universe movie worldwide was Aquaman, and if that’s a shock to you, you’re not alone, Jason Momoa feels the same way.

Speaking with Men’s Health, Momoa admits that Aquaman’s success, the movie was reasonably well received by critics as well as audiences, was a surprise to him. While he says he always goes out to do his best in every film, he also knows that doing so isn’t always rewarded with success. Momoa explained…

Aquaman did in fact break the billion-dollar mark at the global box office. It was the only DC extended universe movie to do so so far, and the highest-grossing movie based on a DC character ever, even outperforming any previous Batman movie.

Part of the surprise is clearly the fact that Aquaman certainly isn’t the most popular DC character. Aquaman is the guy that tends to get made fun of as the superhero whose primary power is communicating with fish. And those jokes were prevalent prior to Aquman’s appearance on the big screen. 

There’s also something of a backhanded compliment here. Momoa indicating that he’s been part of amazing projects that nobody saw, seems to indicate that he doesn’t necessarily view Aquaman in the same way. People haven’t seen some of his great stuff, but they have seen Aquaman. Momoa is clear that he does care about Aquaman as a character, but he also understands that playing a role in the massive comic book franchise makes him just one part of a much bigger machine.

Because of that, Jason Momoa says he doesn’t feel any particularly great pressure for the upcoming sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to measure up to the first movie. He feels he’s done his best with it, and that’s all he can do. Momoa has also been honest that he's frustrated that Aquaman 2 isn't using all his ideas for the film, which is likely also why he feels less responsible. 

It will certainly be interesting to see just how the movie does compare to the first. It’s been five years since the first Aquaman movie, which is a long time in franchise filmmaking. Is the audience still there and will they return in the same numbers they did the first time? Will the fact that the DCU is in line for a major reboot factor in? We’ll find out in December when Lost Kingdom premieres on the 2023 movie schedule. 

While Jason Momoa was hardly an unknown actor prior to joining the DC Extended Universe thanks to his roles in Baywatch: Hawaii, Stargate Atlantis, Game of Thrones and Conan the Barbarian, it’s safe to say being cast as Aquaman made him a household name worldwide. The actor has starred in four DC movies as the underwater-breathing superhero so far (counting both versions of Justice League), and Film #5, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, arrives at the end of the year. Ahead of that upcoming DC movie though, Momoa has clarified his feelings on Arthur Curry and his frustration with the sequel not using most of his ideas.

As part of a profile put together by Men’s Health, the actor recalled how surprised he was by how 2018’s Aquaman was not only received by audiences, but also for crossing $1 billion worldwide (it remains the highest-grossing DC movie of all time). Momoa then discussed why Aquaman has frustrated him so much, though not because of the character himself, but how he’s been handled. As he explained:

Jason Momoa elaborated on these thoughts first by bringing up “different directors having different ideas of who Aquaman is.” So far, three filmmakers have left their mark on the character in the DCEU: Zack Snyder for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and his four-hour cut of Justice League, Joss Whedon for the theatrical cut of Justice League, and James Wan for both Aquaman movies. Momoa then brought up how he’d written a 50-page Aquaman 2 treatment with his partner Brian Mendoza which Warner Bros. Pictures purchased, “but did not follow completely.” This led him to contrasting that experience to his work on Chief of War, the upcoming limited series he’s starring in and producing that’s headed to Apple TV+ subscribers at a yet-to-be-announced date:

Just like The Flash and Blue Beetle, as well as the recently-released Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is part of the last gasp of the DCEU continuity, with DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran putting together a new DC Universe that, while retaining some elements of the previous continuity, will be packed with a lot of new material, including Superman: Legacy, the reboot Gunn is directing and writing. While there had been rumors floating that Momoa might transition to playing Lobo, the actor said in January that he’ll “always be Aquaman,” and it’s also been said that no actor in the DCU would play multiple characters. So although things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing with between him and Aquaman of late, for now anyway, this is a character Momoa will be hanging onto.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will make its big splash in theaters on December 20, but you can use your HBO subscription to stream Jason Momoa’s previous outings as Arthur Curry, king of the Seven Seas. Also remember that the actor will be back on the big screen sooner than that when Fast X arrives on May 19.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to be one of the final films of the current DC film universe before the new DCU is launched, and with that comes many questions. But one of the biggest questions we've had for a long time was just how Amber Heard would fit into the new film. CinemaCon attendees now have at least part of the answer as they have gotten the first look at the footage, which included Heard's Mera.

CinemaBlend is in attendance at CinemaCon, with today's WB presentation revealing the first scenes of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. While the majority of the footage was dedicated to Aquaman and Orm, and the internal battles they have while trying to unite against Black Manta who is trying to unleash some ancient evil, the audience also got a look at Mera. In the footage shown, one shot shows Mera punching the window out of an underwater craft in order to get inside, and a second shot has her firing a blast from her trident. It certainly appears Mera will be in some trouble.

Amber Heard and her performance in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom became a surprisingly important part of the actress' defamation case against Johnny Depp last year. Indications are that Heard's role in the Aquaman sequel is significantly smaller than her role in the first film. Her lawyers claimed this was in part due to a campaign against her. Executives at WB testified it was due to a perceived lack of chemistry between herself and Jason Momoa.

There was a petition started asking WB to fire Amber Heard, but there was never any indication such a thing was taken seriously, though there were rumors that Heard had been cut from the film. We now know with certainty that's not the case. 

Rumors have implied that Heard's character may get injured early on in the new Aquaman movie, and this is why her role is not more substantial. While the scenes shown at CinemaCon don't directly confirm that rumor, they don't refute refute it either. The footage that showed Mera in trouble could just as easily come from later in the film than early in it as it doesn't sound like there was enough context to be sure.

However, the fact that Mera was a very small part of the footage shown at CinemaCon is perhaps confirmation that one way or another, she won't be a significant part of the film overall. She's not shown in any of the scenes with Aquaman and Orm, who appear to be largely sharing the spotlight in the new film.

There is a lot more to be shown of course. With Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom set to open in December we'll probably get our first official trailers in late summer. They may give us a better indication of exactly how the various characters fit together. 

DCU fans, we find ourselves in a major transition moment in the Warner Bros superhero universe, don’t we? A few months back, the studio did some reshuffling behind the scenes, leading James Gunn and Peter Safran to step up as the co-chairs and CEOS of DC Studios and a new future for its cinematic world. Following their announced slate, DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters will be rebooting a lot of thing, starting with a new Superman movie in 2025. Jason Momoa has now shared his take on what it will all mean for his version of Aquaman. 

Jason Momoa’s Aquaman was born out of Zack Snyder’s take on the DCU, which is currently crumbling, between Henry Cavill’s exit as the Man of Steel and Patty Jenkins’ next Wonder Woman movie being scrapped. Could the actor be the next casualty of the DCU’s shakeup? Here’s what Momoa recently said: 

When James Gunn announced the revamped upcoming DC movies slate last month, it did not include another Aquaman sequel being greenlit that stars Jason Momoa. However, as the actor recently told CinemaBlend’s sister site, Total Film, he’s not expecting to be out of a job as the beloved comic book hero. The long-awaited Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters this December following a disappointing opening weekend for Shazam! Fury of the Gods and this summer’s release of Blue Beetle and The Flash, with the latter expected to reset the universe just in time for the transition at Warner Bros to occur.

One would imagine Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s commercial success will be a major determining factor in whether DC Studios decides to keep Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry on board. The first movie, which came out in 2018, was a huge hit, scoring $1.148 billion worldwide at the box office. Five years later, we’ll have to see where the tide takes the Aquaman franchise. 

Momoa sounds confident about The Lost Kingdom nine months ahead of the movie’s release, and perhaps there is a place for his Aquaman in the DCU future. Back in January, Momoa took to social media to share that he had just gotten “great news” during a meeting with Warner Bros, but he couldn’t say what it was. Is it possible that another Aquaman movie is already in the works, but under wraps? 

In terms of the future of the DCU, there’s currently more questions than answers, but we do know starting in 2025 with Superman: Legacy, we’ll certainly find ourselves in a new era of DC Comics film adaptations. 

Chaos and unpredictability seem to be the two words that can sum up the reaction to recent developments in the world of DC movies. As James Gunn and Peter Safran have been cleaning house and trying to figure out their next moves, there are still existing films like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom that still await theatrical release.

This has prompted rumors on whether or not actors like Jason Momoa will continue ruling the seas or finally play intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo. Leave it to the ever charming Momoa to address the subject head on, which is what he did during a video interview with Variety.

Reminiscing on how he helped draft the first treatment of his upcoming Aquaman sequel, Arthur Curry’s acting counterpart also took some time to reassure fans that his watery crown is still on his head. Though as you’ll see below, Jason Momoa made that statement in a more colorful way: 

Always one to cut to the chase, Momoa’s remark about “taking shit” might be a reference to Henry Cavill’s unexpectedly-halted Superman era. It’s still a bit of egg on the face after the actor’s big Black Adam post-credit scene, supposedly setting the table for the Superman v. Black Adam fight Dwayne Johnson has promised people for years, was all for naught. Meanwhile, Jason Momoa is hearing none of that, and firmly confident he’ll he hanging onto the Aquaman mantle for some time. 

Of course, this doesn’t totally dispel the rumors that the former Game of Thrones star could finally be playing Lobo for Warner Bros’ comic book film division. Ever since Jason Momoa teased a dream DC project while promoting Slumberland last fall, the world has been buzzing about that, hoping that it’d be a Lobo movie. 

While uber cryptic messages have been stoking the fires about Momoa's potential future with DC Films, no official announcements have been made. The mystery only deepened after he made this next comment, which feels like even more top secret shenanigans: 

“Funny, savage, and charming” are pretty much the three words one would use to describe Jason Momoa on any given day. So naturally, whether he’s teasing a Lobo debut or the continued adventures of Aquaman, or maybe both, is yet to be seen. Admittedly, the world probably shouldn’t hold its breath for answers any time soon. 

You can thank the 2023 new movie releases calendar for that, as it already containing several heavy hitting DC Comics movies ready to unfurl. And obviously if any announcements were made before any mid, post, or inter-credits scenes were to be revealed, it'd be giving away the store.

We can say, with a degree of certainty, that the next time you’ll see Jason Momoa is as Aquaman will be in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The film is currently docked in a December 25, 2023 release date, and barring any other multiversal slips and shifts, that’s probably where it’s going to stay. 

And speaking of the multiverse, if you want to watch Momoa’s roles in either the DCEU or the Game of Thrones saga, an HBO Max subscription is a must to enter both of those worlds. Should Lobo ever come into the picture, that’s probably where he’ll hang out too.

Actor Jason Momoa’s starpower has steadily been growing for years, starting with his brief but truly iconic run on Game of Thrones. While he’s been working non-stop in major projects like Dune, he’s most synonymous with his run as Aquaman in the DCEU. But after the studio got new leadership by Peter Safran and James Gunn, fans have wondered about his superheroic future. Momoa recently posted a cryptic video after meeting with DC, and I have to wonder: could he really be playing Lobo next?

Over the years Jason Momoa has mentioned that the DC antihero Lobo is a character he adores. And when Gunn and Safan took over and started making sweeping changes to the shared universe (such as Henry Cavill’s departure as Superman), fans online wondered if Momoa might be able to switch characters for this new vision. Now the actor is once again putting the internet into a frenzy, sharing an Instagram Story (via Twitter) fresh out of a meeting with Warner Bros. He seems thoroughly psyched about whatever went down, calling it “great news.” Check it out for yourself below:

Talk about an enthusiastic reaction. Jason Momoa is literally screaming with excitement about his future at DC. While he was careful not to reveal anything about what’s being planned at the studio, it seems like he really wants to. Let’s just hope that Warner Bros. doesn’t keep the general public in the dark for too long.

Jason Momoa’s video on social media is akin to one he made four years ago, when leaving WB and being psyched about his role as Aquaman in the DCEU. There’s no telling what is coming next, but he called it “amazing” and told the likes of James Gunn and Peter Safran that he loved them. Of course, the biggest question is whether that means more movies as Aquaman, or a change to try something new as the antihero Lobo.

DC's new leadership has made a number of surprising changes to the studio already, including scrapped Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 3, and leaving Black Adam out of the next phase of movies. While there has been some backlash aimed at James Gunn and Peter Safran over their bold swings, Jason Momoa has been a vocal supporter of them. What's more, he's been teasing that a dream project is going to come together  as a result of their collaboration. 

Of course, Jason Momoa has already been able to work with James Gunn within the DCEU. Namely through his cameo as Aquaman in the Season 1 finale of Peacemaker. Of course, whatever the duo have planned for his comic book future will be an even closer partnership. Although those plans are a complete mystery to the public for the time being. But Gunn has teased that there will be a big announcement coming at the end of January regarding the plans for the shared universe. 

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Shazam! Fury of the Gods on March 17th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. Although the new changes to the DCEU will likely be seen in 2024. 

There’s been a rivalry and comparisons between DC and Marvel for decades now, starting with the comics and eventually expanding to the two shared cinematic universes. This trend continued with the recent release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which introduced a new population of the MCU with the Talokan. Although all the underwater action is definitely inspiring comparisons between Ryan Coogler’s movie and Aquaman. Namor actor Tenoch Huerta is digging the comparisons to Jason Momoa, but could his Marvel antihero actually win in a fight against Aquaman?

Namor the Submariner finally made his MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and was a massively powerful figure that will seemingly have a big impact on the shared universe moving forward. But given how he and the Talokan reside in a secret underwater society, fans are debating how he’d stand up against DC’s own aquatic hero, Aquaman. Actor Tenoch Huerta’s performance in the movie has been universally acclaimed, and he recently spoke to Rolling Stone about the way fans online are comparing him to Jason Momoa’s DC hero. He reacted saying:

Talk about a class act. While some actors might be touchy about constant comparisons to another performer, that’s not how Tenoch Huerta explained his feelings. Instead, he’s seemingly thrilled to be spoken about in the same sentence as Game of Thrones alum Jason Momoa. It’s too bad that a DCEU/MCU crossover can’t happen, because it would be awesome to see how these two underwater comic book characters might interact on the big screen.

Tenoch Huerta’s comments to Rolling Stone come from a larger conversation about his role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While also addressing the viral conversation surrounding whether or not his bulge was digitally edited, eventually the conversation turned to the chatter about Namor and Aquaman. After all, they’re both super powerful and have a somewhat similar origin.

Later in that same conversation, Tenoch Huerta further mused about both the differences between Namor and Aquaman. So while he’s glad to be compared to Jason Momoa, he doesn’t really think that they’re all that similar. As the 41 year-old Mexican actor put it:

Points were made. And although the Talokan were seen riding whales and seemingly living in harmony with underwater creatures in Black Panther 2, it doesn’t seem like Namor can actually communicate with them. Meanwhile, DC’s Aquaman typically has the ability to communicate and control fish and other creatures living beneath the sea. It’s also worth noting that Namor can fly, which is an ability that Jason Momoa’s character has never had on the screen or page. Although not flying has never stopped Aquaman from being a badass in the DCEU, as we saw in the final battle of Justice League. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still in theaters now and continuing to make money at the box office. The next installment in the MCU is Ant-Man 3 on February 17th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year. We’ll just have to see exactly how/when Namor and the Talokan return to the MCU.