Director James Wan Counsels Patience for First Aquaman Trailer
Movie fans, especially fans of superhero and franchise films from Marvel, DC and a certain galaxy far, far away can be a an impatient bunch. For example, there was a lot of angst regarding what was taking Lucasfilm and Disney so long to release the Solo: A Star Wars Story trailer (and then one dropped during the Super Bowl, and the peopled were most content, and they rested). There is a similar amount of agita regarding footage for James Wan’s Aquaman, which isn’t even due out until December 21. Yet, the people still want to see a trailer, a teaser, anything to tide them over until the holidays. Director James Wan decided to take to Twitter and offer some thoughts and assurances on why there’s been no trailer or teaser yet. He didn’t have to do this, considering, again, the film is still a long ways off, but he knows that interest in what he’s cooking up is a good thing, so long as it doesn’t boil over into hostility (not like that has ever happened on the internet). Here’s what Wan had to say, leaning hard on the oceanic puns:
Hey friends, I usually do my best to avoid internet noises (especially fabricated distractions) but a teaser-trailer going out this weekend was never in the books — despite what some claim. It’s not because of anyone or any nefarious reason holding it back — IT’S ME. (1/3)
— James Wan (@creepypuppet) March 25, 2018
I am simply not ready yet to share. This movie is filled to the gills with VFX, and the process is as slow and laborious as a sea-slug! Yes, even shots for the trailers take forever to do, and I refuse to put out anything that might be construed as subpar. (2/3)
— James Wan (@creepypuppet) March 25, 2018
I know it seems like nothing much is brewing above the surface, but I can assure you, we’re working nonstop under the waves ? ? (3/3)
(Ps: And yes, I plan to use oceanic puns/references every chance I get ?)— James Wan (@creepypuppet) March 25, 2018
So there. While there have been a bevy of fall and winter films that have released teasers, there is no rule that one is owed eight months before the premiere date. When a film is still this far out, it’s really up to the director whether or not he or she feels they’ve got anything ready to show. Closer to the release date and, sure, the studio’s promotional team will have a full rollout plan in place and there will be plenty of material flooding the Internet and TV. But we’re not close to the premiere date.
For now, there’s so much nothing, even our featured image of Aquaman himself is from Justice League. The Warner Bros. press site currently has zero images from Wan’s film available.
Aquaman is the first big screen stand-alone film for the Atlantian superhero. The film follows Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) as he finds out that he’s the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis—making him the second royal superhero this year, following in the massive footsteps of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) in Black Panther, the king of Wakanda, who also happens to be the star of the highest grossing superhero film in the U.S. of all time. Curry/Aquaman will have to learn how to both lead his people and save the world, a responsibility he no doubt takes as seriously, much like James Wan takes his responsibility of making sure any footage he releases is up to snuff seriously, too. These are the kind of people you want saving the world/directing your superhero film.
We will, of course, share any new Aquaman material the second it posts, which we hope is soon, because we’re impatient.
Featured image: Jason Momoa is Arthur Curry/Aquaman in Justice League. Courtesy Warner Bros.
