“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Trailer Unleashes a Bigger, Badder Black Manta

The first trailer for director James Wan’s upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has arrived, unleashing an ocean’s worth of action, an even more jacked Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), and a changed Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa). Arthur, who you might remember is also Aquaman, was a self-described “wanderer” before the events in the first film. He had no home, no real responsibilities, and due to his immense abilities inherited from his mother, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), the man could finish a bottle of whiskey and still jump into a swelling ocean and go save some otherwise doomed sailors. Life was…good?

But now, Arthur has responsibilities, including a family and a kingdom to protect, which means he’s got way more to lose. The first full trailer for the long-awaited sequel paints a sharper picture on the man who aims to take all that away from him—Black Manta—still seething from not only being bested by Aquaman in the first film, but because he blames Aquaman for his father’s death.

Now that Arthur’s the King of Atlantis, Black Manta’s revenge plans include not only wiping out his whole family but the entire kingdom and everything it holds together. Vowing to burn Atlantis to ash, Manta’s vengeance needs to be met head-on. So Arthur recruits somebody he thinks might be able to help, somebody who knows a thing or two about what it’s like to have a burning desire to take him out—his brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), the villain of the first film who ended up imprisoned after his attempt to claim the throne for himself. And they’ll need all the help they can get now that Manta is bigger, badder, and stronger, with a much more powerful weapon, the Black Trident.

Joining Momoa, Abdul-Mateen II, and Wilson are Amber Heard as Mera, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Jani Zhao as Stingray, Vincent Regan as Atlan, and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be the last film to bow for DC Studios that doesn’t carry the direct imprimatur of new bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Check out the trailer below. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters on December 20:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

For more on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, check out these stories:

First “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Teaser Reveals Black Manta’s Revenge Plan

“Aquaman 2” Has Officially Wrapped Production

“Aquaman 2” Adds “Game of Thrones” Villain Pilou Asbaek

Jason Momoa Reveals New Stealth Suit For “Aquaman 2”

Featured image: Caption: YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics