Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has led to questions about Aquaman 3, a film with a less-than-certain future. When watching the DCEU movies in order, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom technically counts as the final entry. Aquaman 2 is the final DCEU film before James Gunn’s DCU movie and TV slate comes into play in 2024, essentially rebooting the DC Universe on film.
As such, this admittedly frustrating transition has led to several questions about the future of the DCEU’s superheroes. Some characters from the DCEU are being carried over into the new universe like Peacemaker and Amanda Waller, while others like Henry Cavill’s Superman are being recast. This transition has thus shone an unclear light on upcoming DC movies, including the continuation of Jason Momoa’s tenure as Arthur Curry after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Aquaman 3 Latest News
Concerning the latest news for Aquaman 3, the various press interviews conducted for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have led to multiple mentions of a third movie. Firstly, DCEU director James Wan hinted that Aquaman 2 sets up Aquaman 3 in September 2023. During a trailer screening event for the second film, Wan confirmed that the events of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom lay the foundations for a continuation of the story.
Similarly, star Jason Momoa has stated that he would like to craft an Aquaman 3. In an exclusive interview with Access Hollywood, Momoa was asked about the possibility of Aquaman 3. Momoa stated that he has lots of ideas for a third film and a continuation of Arthur’s story, wrapping up the comments by admitting his willingness to complete an Aquaman trilogy.
Aquaman 3 Is Not Yet Confirmed
Despite these tidbits and teases provided by the cast and crew of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, it remains the case that the film is yet to be announced. Warner Bros. is in the middle of transitioning between what was the DCEU and what will become the DCU, meaning little care has been placed on the 2023 releases belonging to the former franchise. As a result, an announcement for Aquaman 3 is still awaited by those excited for further adventures in Atlantis with Jason Momoa at the helm.
Aquaman 3 Cast: Who Could Return?
If Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom does spawn a sequel, there are a number of cast members from the second film who could return. Naturally, Jason Momoa would return as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, likely alongside Nicole Kidman as Queen Atlanna. Amber Heard could return as Mera, though this is unlikely given the aftermath of her trial with Johnny Depp and the noticeably reduced role she received in Aquaman 2 as a result. Another likely cast member to reprise their role is Patrick Wilson as Orm, who underwent a redemption arc in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘s story.
The extended cast who could return for Aquaman 3 includes Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, Randall Park as Stephen Shin, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, and John Rhys-Davies as the Brine King. These characters were all left alive as of the end of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. As such, they could be utilized in any potential continuation of the franchise, with a time jump potentially allowing for a new actor to join the cast as a grown version of Aquaman and Mera’s son.
Aquaman 3 Story: How The Threequel Could Happen Despite The DC Universe
The main question surrounding the potentiality of Aquaman 3 is how the third film could happen despite the DC Universe beginning in 2024. As evident by the stories of Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2, both released after The Flash reportedly reset the DC Universe according to James Gunn, it seems that new DC movies will simply take up the DCU continuity without much focus being placed on how this transition occurred. Characters will simply pop up in the DCU that may or may not have been part of the DCEU without any real explanation as to how the latter became the former.
The character being part of the mainline DCU is unlikely given the announcement that all Justice League members from the DCEU will be recast, leading Elseworlds to be the film’s only chance at happening.
This could explain how Aquaman 3, in the unlikely event it is confirmed, could happen. The story of Aquaman 2 somewhat sets up a future story in that Arthur unveiled the kingdom of Atlantis to the surface world. This ending has a fair amount of story potential, with a third film likely exploring the fledgling relationship between the Atlanteans and humans, with the sole reason for its DCU inclusion being the admittedly unclear events of The Flash.
Another possibility is that Aquaman 3 could be part of Elseworlds. James Gunn announced that films within the DCU that take part outside of the franchise’s mainline continuity will be dubbed Elseworlds, such as The Batman and Joker. It could be the case that Gunn wishes to give a character like Momoa’s Aquaman a proper sendoff, allowing the actor and potential director James Wan to complete the trilogy that began in 2018. This would allow Momoa’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to spawn a sequel that would take place in a different continuity to the DCU, meaning Gunn could then also cast his own Aquaman for the core universe.