Momoa’s Aquaman: A Surprising Discrepancy in the DCEU Continuity
As fans eagerly await the release of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, a recent revelation by director James Wan casts doubt on the cohesiveness of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). With a vibrant ensemble in “The Flash” bringing together characters from various DC timelines—ranging from Ben Affleck’s Batman to Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman—the post-credits scene, featuring a casual conversation between Barry Allen and a seemingly inebriated Arthur Curry (Aquaman), raised eyebrows and speculations.
While Barry attempts to explain the multiverse, emphasizing the existence of multiple Bruce Waynes, he drops a bombshell: across these realities, Arthur Curry remains the unchanging, affable Aquaman we’ve come to know. However, this isn’t the duo’s first on-screen rendezvous. Their camaraderie extends back to “Justice League” and even a brief appearance in “Peacemaker”.
“There are multiple Bruce Wayne’s, but Arthur was always the same lovable Aquaman.”
Yet, amid these appearances, the future of Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash remains wrapped in enigma. While Ezra’s continuation in the franchise faces uncertainty due to external factors, Momoa’s ties with the DC movies, especially under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s helm, stand ambiguous.
Aquaman 2: An Isolated Bubble in the DC Sea?
Speculations had been rife that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” might roll out the red carpet for iconic characters like Ben Affleck’s Batman. However, James Wan’s recent tete-a-tete with Entertainment Weekly splashed cold water on these theories. Declaring a clear demarcation, Wan clarified:
“The upcoming sequel is not connected in any way to any of those films.”
His tight-lipped response to potential DCEU hero cameos further deepened the mystery. While Arthur Curry’s cameo in “The Flash” seemed to anchor him securely within the DCEU, Wan’s revelations have left fans adrift, questioning the narrative trajectory of Momoa’s Aquaman. Would “Aquaman 2” serve as a swan song for the DCEU before its slated 2025 revamp? Or, does an alternative Aquaman exist in another dimension, untethered from Momoa’s portrayal? While clarity remains elusive, Momoa’s earlier teaser video this year hinted at his continued collaboration with the DC Universe.
A Silver Lining: Why Straying from DCEU Could Favor Aquaman
Jason Momoa’s Aquaman breathed fresh life into a character previously dismissed as the laughing stock of DC. His dynamic transformation into a charismatic yet formidable Atlantean prince resonated with audiences worldwide. As “Aquaman 2” distances itself from the DCEU, it might inadvertently be paving the way for its success.
Untangling from the DCEU might be a blessing in disguise. If the sequel garners acclaim, it keeps the door ajar for Momoa’s continued reign as Aquaman, irrespective of changes in the wider universe. Moreover, the DCEU’s recent films, such as “Black Adam” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”, failed to create waves at the box office, signifying a waning audience interest. By charting its own course, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” could potentially revive the fandom and re-establish its dominance.
As the waves of time approach, fans and critics alike await the film’s release, eager to decipher its ties—or lack thereof—to the grander DC universe narrative.
