Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a superhero movie that debuted on December 19, 2023, in Los Angeles and hit theaters in the United States on December 22, 2023. Directed by James Wan, this film serves as the sequel to the 2018 hit Aquaman and the last installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

In this film, Jason Momoa reprises his role as Aquaman, also known as Arthur Curry. He teams up with his half-brother, Orm, portrayed by Patrick Wilson, to stop the villainous Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, from unleashing chaos upon the world. During their quest, Aquaman must also protect his family and find the lost seventh kingdom of the seas.

The film explores themes like climate change and presents a more serious tone compared to its predecessor. Wan’s vision for the movie includes elements of buddy comedy, focusing on the relationship between Aquaman and Orm. Filming took place across various locations, including the United Kingdom, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, and wrapped up in January 2022.

Despite its high expectations, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received negative reviews from critics. It currently holds a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviews pointing out the film's failure to innovate beyond the familiar storylines of the superhero genre. Reviewers acknowledged the chemistry between Momoa and Wilson, but criticized the overarching plot as predictable and uninspiring.

The movie had a production budget between $205 million and $215 million but, as of now, has grossed approximately $439 million worldwide. While it has surpassed the box office numbers of other recent DCEU films, it notably earned less than half of the original Aquaman's total earnings.

After a lengthy production period and various delays, including a push from March to December 2023 due to the pandemic's effects on visual effects work, the film faced challenges that affected its overall reception.

In terms of cast, the film features returning actors such as Amber Heard as Mera, Aquaman's wife, and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna. However, Heard's role faced controversy, leading to reports of reduced screen time and character involvement due to external factors related to her personal life.

Overall, while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom aimed to expand its universe and address significant issues, audience and critical reception has left its future uncertain in the DCEU landscape. As it stands, Jason Momoa's portrayal of Aquaman might be his last in this particular storyline as the DCEU undergoes changes under new leadership.