Warner Bros. has decided this is the week to begin theAquamanmarketing campaign in earnest, and it kicks off with an EW cover story. But as part of that cover story, the first look atYahya Abdul-Mateen IIas the villainous Black Manta has been revealed. In the film, Black Manta is a high-seas pirate and mercenary named David Kane, which puts a spin on the character’s comics origin story.
DirectorJames Wanisn’t ready to reveal too much about Black Manta, but he offereda tantalizing teasewhile also confirming that Black Manta is not the main antagonist ofAquaman:
“He’s part mercenary but full-time pirate who in his suit will look like some crazy alien from outer space… Black Manta is a really interesting character who is somehow factored into this story but our main story is about Jason and Patrick.”
Jason and Patrick meaningJason Momoa’s Aquaman andPatrick Wilson’s King Orm, who is Aquaman’s half brother and may or may not have different ideas about what it means to rule Atlantis.
The Black Manta helmet looks quite nifty, however, and I like how Wan has found a grounded way for the character to make sense. But don’t go expecting some full-blownBatman v Superman-style grit.In the cover story, executive producerPeter Safransays to expect plenty of humor from the film:
“Rarely has a superhero character been married to the real-life actor as much as Aquaman and Jason Momoa. He’s authentically from two worlds, he’s this real physical specimen, he’s got this humor which he’s never been allowed to play before — in every regard he is Aquaman.”
It sounds like we may get aThor: Ragnarok-style retcon of the character after his entrance inJustice League, and indeed Wan reiterates in the cover story thatAquamanfeels very distinct from the previous DCEU films:
“The water world my movie takes place in is so separate and so far apart from previous DC movies it’s like I’m making my own sci-fi fantasy film. This is a whole new underwater world nobody has seen before in live action.”
DistancingAquamanfrom the DCEU that’s come before was inveitable, as Warner Bros. and those involved don’t want theJustice Leaguestink to stick around on their upcoming slate. But it’ll be interesting to see just how distinctAquamanis, and if it signals a new direction for the DCEU in the vein of last year’s hitWonder Woman. Between these comments and those colorfulWonder Woman 1984images, the future of DC looks bright.
Stay tuned for more onAquamanas EW’s cover story continues to roll out.
