Arthur Curry is rising to the surface once more via Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom which is slated to hit theaters this December 22, 2023. With such little time before we get to see the return of the new Atlantean King, here are all the returning (and upcoming) characters and possible cameos showing up in the sequel:
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry aka Aquaman
Jason Momoa will undoubtedly return as the titular character, Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The same half-human, half-Atlantean King who saved his mother Atlanna and Atlantis City in the first movie.
Momoa's controversial news of reportedly dressing up as Johnny Depp and threatening co-star Amber Heard on set was rehashed ahead of his DC sequel's premiere, which questions his future in staying in the franchise for long.
Although it remains to be seen if we'll be seeing Momoa reprise the character in any future Justice League or other DCU movies, the Aquaman sequel marks his last time returning to the role for now.
Amber Heard as Princess Mera
Momoa will be joined by his co-star Amber Heard as the King’s love interest, Mera, the flame-haired crown princess of the underwater kingdom of Xebel who also possesses hydrokinetic powers.
Patrick Wilson as Prince Orm aka Ocean Master
Patrick Wilson, who plays Orm, the villainous brother of Arthur, confirmed early on that he will be reprising his character in Aquaman 2. Wilson previously teased that director James Wan’s plans will push the sequel “even further — whatever that means.”
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the Black Manta
Aquaman & the Lost Kingdom is likely setting up a new villain, and in this case, we’re seeing more of the Black Manta, which Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will be returning to play.
The actor confirmed as early as 2019 that his role will be “causing a lot more trouble than he did” in the first Aquaman film. If we consider what we saw from the official trailer, this time, the Black Manta isn't alone.
He is seen wielding the black trident, which grants him even more power, and possibly faces Aquaman head-on against his own trident, as well.
Is Willem Dafoe Returning in the DC Sequel?
Unfortunately, Willem Dafoe will NOT be returning as Nuidius Vulko, one of Arthur’s first initial allies in Atlantis when he was younger. Vulko mentored Aquaman and helped him reclaim the city’s throne.
Apparently, as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom helmer James Wan told Entertainment Weekly, "Willem is not in this one, no. Part of the reason was because his schedule did not work out for us."
However, we will likely be seeing the return of Aquaman’s parents, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry and Nicole Kidman as the former Queen Atlanna.
Additionally, there will be a few newcomers debuting in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom including Indya Moore, who is set to play the villain, Karshon (a humanoid shark who was mutated by radiation in DC Comics), Jani Zhao as Stingray (it remains to be unknown whether she'll be the Atlantean King's enemy or ally), while casting Pilou Asbæk in a mystery role.
RELATED: What to Watch Before Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
All Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Cameos
DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are rebuilding the DC Universe, and that said, their ‘megaverse’ (Multiverse) has to set up some interconnected stories as early as this year.
It’s no surprise if they do end up pushing through in including Michael Keaton’s and Ben Affleck’s Batman in the Aquaman sequel, considering this is what happened with The Flash, but has this been confirmed for the movie?
Recently speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Aquaman franchise director James Wan opened up about the necessary details (cameos and whatnot) they had to bring up since The Flash:
“The tricky thing early on was not knowing whether Aquaman would come out first or come out after [The Flash]. So, we just had to be prepared. At the end of the day, the best thing I would say about this movie is that it is not connected in any way to any of those films.”
As for the potential cameos DC fans have been highly anticipating the sequel, “You’re going to have to wait for the movie to come out.”
Want to find out more about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom? Here is our guide for the sequel's release date, possible plot, and more.
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