James Wan Talks New Aquaman Film

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Aquaman director James Wan discussed his approach to the film. For Wan, making Aquaman a success meant embracing some of the sillier and campier aspects of the King of Atlantis in the film. Wan feels that when most people think of the character, they remember the brightly costumed adaptation from the 70s cartoon series Super Friends. Despite this silly look, Wan argues that Aquaman’s classic orange and green outfit defines the character. In the end, Wan decided to juxtapose Aquaman’s silly costume with a powerful lead in Jason Momoa and serious storyline. Wan added that the film honors the roots of the character while adding a modern sensibility. Conceding that Aquaman is regarded as one of the lamer superheroes, Wan says that he wants audiences leaving the film feeling that they had just seen a fun action/adventure film.

While cautious not spoil the film too much, Wan told ComicBook.com that the basic plot of Aquaman centers around Arthur Curry’s search for the King’s Trident, a powerful symbol of the throne of Atlantis. Curry’s journey will be complicated by his brother Orm, played by Patrick Wilson. Orm will try to undermine Curry’s rule as he rallies Atlanteans against land dwellers, whom he blames for problems of pollution in the underwater kingdom. Aquaman will be helped in his quest by Mera, played by Amber Heard. Wan says that the relationship between Curry and Mera is one of the most important aspects of the film. As seen in Justice League, Curry is portrayed as a wisecracking, snarky character. This contrasts sharply with Mera, who is a serious, resolute warrior of the Kingdom of Atlantis.

Curry’s relationship with his mother Atlanna is also important in the film. Atlanna will be played by actress Nicole Kidman in Aquaman. Wan told ComicBook.com that he has wanted to work with Kidman for many years, and felt that the actress perfectly embodied the character. While Wan teased that Atlanna, in her position as the Queen of Atlantis, will be featured in a significant action sequence at the opening of the film, her major storyline will follow her relationship with Curry’s father, who is a lighthouse keeper. Although not providing any spoilers, Wan said that the relationship between his Atlantean mother and surface dweller father will forge how Curry views the world. Aquaman opens December 21.