With the franchise’s future ties to its past still largely unknown, James Wan reveals he made changes to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to fit James Gunn’s new DC Universe. Jason Momoa’s Atlantean hero was previously part of the DC Extended Universe alongside the likes of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman, the latter two of whom appear to be done with the franchise as Gunn forges ahead with his vision. Despite this, Momoa’s Aquaman future has seemed secure alongside Ezra Miller’s Flash and Zachary Levi’s Shazam.
In a career-spanning profile interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James Wan opened up about the ongoing shifts with the DCU following Gunn’s hiring as the co-head of the comic book franchise. When asked how Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom fits into these plans, the director confirmed changes were made to fit the “soft reset” coming with The Flash, but assured it didn’t overly affect the feel of the sequel. See what Wan explained below:
I’ve had to make adjustments all along the way. The DCU has been through lots of different versions, and one of the things that was challenging about this film was keeping track of what’s going on. Fortunately, the Aquaman universe is pretty far removed from the rest of the world. We’re going to many different underwater kingdoms that are not necessarily related to what’s happening with the other movies and characters, so we’re stand-alone in that respect. So I can just tell my story on its own without being affected too much, but at the same time, I have to be mindful of what’s been happening.
How Gunn’s DCU Will Connect To The DCEU
While not an outright confirmation of a future in the franchise, Wan’s explanation of how Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was changed to fit Gunn’s DCU does indicate that Momoa’s Aquaman will continue past the upcoming sequel. Not only have Momoa and Gunn previously indicated talks between them of how to keep the actor in the DCU, but the latter has even confirmed that both The Flash and Aquaman sequel will lead into the first proper chapter of the new franchise, Superman: Legacy.
With Momoa expected to return, Shazam! Fury of the Gods‘ post-credits indicating Levi’s future with the Justice Society of America, and potentially Gadot’s ongoing tenure as Wonder Woman, and varying reports of The Flash featuring both Affleck and Michael Keaton’s Batman, the DCU’s ties to the DCEU have continued to confuse those who followed the latter. Given The Flash is diving into the multiverse, multiple creatives have confirmed it will act as a soft reboot for the entire franchise, though the extent of which remains a mystery with a couple weeks left until its release.
It’s understandable Gunn isn’t divulging the extent of his and Peter Safran’s plans for the DCU considering his desire for a decade-long tenure and busy schedule with Superman: Legacy, on which he’s writing, directing and currently casting, and Peacemaker season 2. As such, while theories and questions will continue to mount through The Flash until Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘s release, Wan’s confirmation of adjusting the sequel to fit Gunn’s plans is sure to keep fans of Momoa’s hero excited for the time being.
Source: THR
Key Release Dates
