New “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Trailer Focuses on Black Manta’s Brutal Mission
“Black Manta is not just driven by hate,” says star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II at the top of this new Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom featurette. “He’s driven by love; his father was killed by Aquaman, who had an opportunity to show mercy but didn’t.” As Abdul-Mateen II lays out his case for his vengeful Black Manta having more on his mind than simple payback, footage from the new film reveals the depths of his rage against Aquaman (Jason Momoa, obviously). “His need for vengeance haunts him, night and day,” Abdul-Mateen II concedes.
The new featurette gives us some fresh details about director James Wan’s upcoming sequel, which involves the discovery of the titular Lost Kingdom of Necrus, also known as the Black City, an underwater empire similar to Atlantis but one that only exists in brief intervals of time. It’s in the Lost Kingdom of Necrus that Manta finds a super-powerful trident that possesses whoever wields it with extreme capabilities, but also a remorseless evil. A new, all-powerful trident, a new super-suit, and a single, unrelenting vision all cohere to make Black Manta an absolute force to be reckoned with and one that’s headed straight for Aquaman, his family, and Atlantis.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will find a changed Arthur Curry, too, a man who was a self-described “wanderer” before the events in the first film. Arthur 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 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, and Black Manta means to take it all away from him. The new film finds Arthur turning to an unexpected source for help—Orm (Patrick Wilson), the villain of the first film who ended up imprisoned after his attempt to claim the throne for himself.
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.
“I’m excited to give the audience something cool to see,” Abdul-Mateen II says at the close of the new look. “And I’m rooting for the villain.”
Check out the new featurette below. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters on December 22:
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
New Image of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Getting Jacked 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
