Jason Momoa, the star of Aquaman and its upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, has reportedly expressed disinterest in continuing as the underwater superhero. Rumors suggest that the poor performance of the sequel’s test screenings may have been a contributing factor, along with the controversial return of Amber Heard as Mera, and Momoa’s rumored desire to play the DC Comics character Lobo.
Jason Momoa
Is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in Trouble?
The initial feedback surrounding the highly anticipated Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is less than encouraging. This is particularly concerning given the numerous rumors and speculations about the future of the Aquaman franchise, including reports of Momoa potentially taking on the role of Lobo in the DC Universe.
Adding to the uncertainty is the controversial return of Amber Heard, who portrays Mera in the film, and whose involvement has been marred by the sordid details of her defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp. This casting decision has generated heated debates and stirred up considerable controversy, further casting doubt on the film’s potential success.
Amber Heard as Mera
Although something that needs to be kept in mind is that according to film critic Jeff Sneider, the initial Aquaman movie was also criticized by various critics, who found fault with its plot and dialogue. Despite these criticisms, the film went on to achieve remarkable box office success, grossing an impressive $1.149 billion worldwide on a budget of up to $200 million.
While director James Wan and lead actor Jason Momoa received praise for their contributions to the film, the mixed reviews reflect a common trend in the superhero film genre.
Many movies within this genre are often criticized for lacking depth in their storytelling, with the focus placed on visual effects and action sequences. Nonetheless, the financial success of Aquaman demonstrates that audiences are willing to overlook these flaws if the film provides a thrilling and visually stunning experience.
The Future of Aquaman and Jason Momoa in DCU
Jason Momoa has been teasing an upcoming project with DC Studios after meeting with co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Although he has not confirmed he would play Lobo, the actor has expressed interest in the character, leading to rumors that he may leave the Aquaman franchise.
Jason Momoa’s desire to play Lobo has been pretty much evident for a long time but how does it affect the future of Aquaman in DCU?
Lobo
In January, Jason Momoa sat down with James Gunn and Peter Safran to discuss the future of his initial character, Aquaman in the DC Universe, and according to Momoa himself, the meeting went well.
In an interview, the actor expressed optimism about the franchise and hinted that he might be interested in exploring other characters in the DC Universe.
“[I’m feeling] really f-king good. Aquaman’s not going anywhere, so it’s alright. Everything’s gonna be good, we’re still here and then I might be dipping into some other things too.”
Jason Momoa’s words suggested that Aquaman’s future is secure, but they also implied that the actor may be looking for other opportunities to expand his portfolio within the DC Universe. But has the screen result and Amber Heard’s return affected the initial stance of Aquaman in DCU?
Jason Momoa as Aquaman
It is quite uncertain right now whether the future of Aquaman in DCU is still secure, given the recent changes at DC Studios following the changes caused by the arrival of Gunn and Safran in DCU. The decision to cease featuring Henry Cavill as Superman and the axing of Wonder Woman 3 has caused some uncertainty about the future of DC movies. The negative reviews from the test screening only add to the uncertainty.
The controversies surrounding Amber Heard’s return and the poor test screening results of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have led to rumors that Jason Momoa is no longer interested in playing Aquaman. However, nothing has been confirmed yet, and fans will have to wait until the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to see whether Momoa will continue as the underwater superhero or move on to play Lobo in the DCU.
