Sometimes a superhero can’t catch a break, and it looks like Aquaman is one of them. Per a report from Deadline, Warner Bros. Discovery has opted to move the release date of the DC comic book movie again, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom again, this time to a Friday instead of its previous Wednesday release.
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Previously, the DC comic book movie sequel was scheduled to release on Wednesday, December 20. Now, it’s slightly been pushed back two days and it will arrive on Friday, December 20.
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM RELEASE DATE SHIFTS YET AGAIN
Aquaman 2 has already been pushed around multiple times. The DC sequel was originally supposed to arrive at one point on March 17, 2023. However, Shazam! and the Fury of the Gods later took that release date earlier this year. The Aquaman sequel then got pushed to December 25, 2023. Then it was moved to Wednesday, December 20. Now, it’s been shifted again to Dec. 22.
The sequel sees the return of Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, aka the hero Aquaman. James Wan is back to direct the sequel as well. Additionally, Nicole Kidman, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II are all back from the first film. In the sequel, Arthur must now unite with his estranged brother Orm to save the world from David Hyde, aka Black Manta, who is now causing trouble with the Black Trident, which could cause a worldwide apocalypse.
It seems almost cruel that the sequel is having so much difficulty. While the original 2018 Aquaman movie didn’t do all that hot with critics, scoring only 66% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s still the only DCEU film that made over $1 billion worldwide. The first film, which was released in December 2018, grossed $335 million domestically and over $1.15 billion worldwide.
Basically, the first movie in the franchise outgrossed Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, and Justice League. That’s a pretty huge statement on how well-liked the first movie was. However, it seems the film has suffered as a result of the recent studio mergers and acquisitions, first with AT&T acquiring Warner Bros., and then Warner Bros. being sold to Discovery.
Now, it looks like the sequel is also falling victim to Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios gearing up plans for their new DC cinematic universe and slate. DC Studios’ heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have already announced plans for Chapter 1 of their new shared DC Universe, and an Aquaman movie is not among them.
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While it’s likely that the character will be seen again, it’s pretty clear that Jason Momoa’s version, as the last vestige of the old DCEU is being sent out to pasture. As a result, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom looks like it’s being treated like an unwanted child.
It appears audiences can tell there is no long-term future for the DCEU, and it looks like it’s affected the box office results as well. Black Adam, Shazam! 2, Blue Beetle, and The Flash were all major financial flops, especially at a time when Warner Bros. Discovery is in dire need of some hits. Unfortunately, DC Studios announcing its new slate hasn’t helped matters, as it’s made the movies it released in 2022 and 2023 pointless, and the box office results of those films have been poor.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is now slated for a Friday, Dec. 22 release.
About Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Release Date: December 22, 2023
Directed by: James Wan
Written by: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan, Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, and Jason Momoa; Based on the DC comics and characters
Producers: Rob Cowan, Peter Safran, and James Wan
Executive Producers: Michael Clear, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman
Production: DC Studios, Atomic Monster, The Safran Company, Warner Bros.
Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Action-Adventure; Comic Book Superhero
Cast: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Temeura Morrison, Amber Heard, Dolph Lundgren, Jani Zhao, and Randall Park
Synopsis
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
What do you think of the news? Is this a bad omen for Aquaman, or do you think it’s a good sign that the studio still has faith in the film? Do you think the sequel will still surpass the original, or do you think it’s pointless to still release the sequel at all? Let us know your thoughts about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on The Illuminerdi’s socials.
SOURCE: Deadline
KEEP READING: Aquaman 2: How Amber Heard’s Mera Role Has Unexpectedly Changed In The Lost Kingdom (SPOILERS)
