During the DC panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2018, the first trailer for Aquaman debuted and it promises plenty of action and some incredible underwater scenery.
My father was a lighthouse keeper. My mother was a Queen.
With those words, the trailer for Aquaman was revealed to a room full of delighted fans. Despite a December 21st release date, the first trailer for Aquaman was actually shown at San Diego Comic-Con. Director James Wan had previously stated he simply was not ready to share any glimpse of this project with the world until it met his standards. Indeed, he revealed to the crowd that his vision was a superhero film that we’ve never quite seen before and added:
“I wanted our film to be more unique. So my movie plays more like a science-fiction fantasy film than a traditional super hero movie.”
Wan may be one of the hottest directors at the moment, due to his involvement with various other projects. Indeed, he sat down with wired previously and spoke about his enthusiasm not only for the film, but for the manner in which popular culture has taken to it already, making various memes of the promotional posters—something he finds hilarious.
The trailer shows human Arthur Curry (aka Aquaman) who is portrayed by Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones), pulled into a struggle between the surface world and its pillaging of the sea, while the underwater world of Atlantis whose citizens are on the verge of revolt. As half Atlantean and half human, he faces not only a struggle to do the right thing, but a struggle to understand where he belongs.
Aquaman spells a departure for the Worlds of DC franchise whose previous films, which center more traditionally popular figures such as Batman and Superman, have not been particularly well received. In the wake of the success of more separate films such as Wonder Woman (snippets of film for the sequel of which were also revealed at the DC panel) and Shazam, these three films represent a step away from the previous direction of DC in recognition of the inability of the previous films to meaningfully connect with audiences. Certainly in Justice League (DC’s answer to Marvel’s Avengers), Momoa’s performance and the character of Aquaman were considered particularly notable amid a film that was deemed otherwise lacklustre. For this reason, fans are eagerly awaiting a film devoted to the aquatic hero.
In relation to the process of filming, Yahya Abdul-Maten who plays villain Black Manta, revealed that he didn’t know how to swim when he got the role, “I taught myself in the mornings and evenings. I bought goggles, a kickboard, and swam at the hotel pool.” Ironically, because much of the work was on wires and in harnesses, he didn’t need to swim that much, but it speaks to the dedication and excitement surrounding the project that everybody involved felt. It can only bode well for what’s to come.
In an additional sizzle reel which was for the eyes only of the Hall H attendees, one of the standout exchanges sums up much of what the film’s central message looks to be: “What could be greater than (being) a king?”Aquaman asks. “A hero,” says Mera.
Jason Momoa stars as the titular hero in the film, alongside Amber Heard (Magic Mike XXL) as Mera; Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) as Vulko; Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones) as Tom Curry; Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier) as King Nereus; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down) as Black Manta; and Nicole Kidman (The Hours) as Atlanna.
Aquaman is scheduled to be released in December this year.
