Did You Know These 10 Things About ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’?
When ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ premiered in 2023, it brought Jason Momoa back as the King of Atlantis in a sequel filled with high-stakes adventure and environmental themes. Directed once again by James Wan, the film followed Arthur Curry as he teamed up with his half-brother Orm to stop a new threat that could destroy both the ocean and the surface world. With stunning visuals, massive underwater battles, and a focus on brotherhood, the sequel closed out the DCEU’s Aquaman storyline.
While it faced challenges during production and release delays, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ still delivered the grand, oceanic spectacle fans had come to expect. Here are ten things you might not know about ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.
It Focused on Arthur and Orm’s Relationship
The central dynamic of the movie revolved around Aquaman and his estranged brother Orm, the former Ocean Master.
Their uneasy alliance against a greater evil gave the sequel a more character-driven story compared to the first film’s origin tale.
Black Manta Returned as the Main Villain
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprised his role as Black Manta, now more powerful and vengeful than ever.
Fueled by hatred for Aquaman and armed with ancient Atlantean technology, he became one of the most dangerous foes in DC’s cinematic universe.
The Film Introduced the Black Trident
Black Manta wielded the Black Trident, an ancient weapon tied to dark magic and a long-forgotten kingdom.
Its powers corrupted him, turning his revenge into a threat to the entire world.
Jason Momoa Helped Shape the Story
Momoa co-wrote parts of the story and helped pitch ideas that focused on family and environmental responsibility.
He wanted the sequel to explore fatherhood, legacy, and the impact of human actions on nature.
Amber Heard’s Role Was Significantly Reduced
Amber Heard returned as Mera, but her screen time was much smaller than in the first film.
Her limited role reflected a tighter focus on Arthur, Orm, and Black Manta’s conflict.
James Wan Drew Inspiration From Classic Adventure Films
Wan described the sequel as a mix of “buddy-cop energy” and “lost-world exploration.”
He cited influences from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Romancing the Stone,’ blending action, humor, and mythic storytelling.
The Lost Kingdom Was Finally Revealed
The fabled Lost Kingdom of Necrus played a central role, with ancient ruins, dark power, and a frozen landscape that expanded Atlantis’s mythology.
Its discovery revealed secrets about Atlantis’s ancient past and the source of Manta’s new power.
It Used Advanced Visual Effects and Real Sets
The film combined large-scale CGI with practical sets to create new underwater realms and massive creature designs.
James Wan continued his tradition of emphasizing texture and realism, even in digitally enhanced environments.
It Was the Final DCEU Film
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ marked the end of the DC Extended Universe before James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe reboot.
Its release symbolized the closing chapter of the interconnected DCEU timeline that began with ‘Man of Steel.’
It Faced a Challenging Production Journey
The film endured multiple delays, rewrites, and test screenings, partly due to pandemic-related setbacks.
Despite this, it went on to earn several hundred million dollars worldwide and concluded Aquaman’s cinematic saga on an emotional note.
What fact about ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ did you find the most surprising? Share your thoughts in the comments!
