We survived the Release The Snyder Cut movement; we almost had the Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad, but could we be looking at a similar vibe for the DC Extended Universe swansong Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
One of the actors behind the project has spoken up and feels like the film has been chopped up so much that it doesn’t resemble the original script/cut. Speaking to ComicBook.com in promoting his new film Wanted Man [read our review here], Dolph Lundgren confirmed that studio execs meddled with the Aquaman sequel and that director James Wan’s original cut was “really good”.
“I just realized that it was some kind of corporate decision that they try to limit Amber Heard, and then I’m playing with her dad and went along with it,” says the actor. “I was just disappointed for the moviegoers because I thought the original script was great and the original cut — I saw a little bit of it, it was really good, so I didn’t see any reason to start reshooting and reshaping the story, which obviously led to disappointment in the moviegoers and not just me.”
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Amber Heard has also recently spoken up about the film, thanking fans for their “overwhelming support” on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
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.