We're still two weeks out from the release of AQUAMAN, but Warner Bros. is quite keen on the film and are taking the first steps towards securing its future. Buried in a recent THR profile on AQUAMAN co-star Amber Heard was a small tidbit which said that Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich has "enough confidence to begin talks on a sequel" to AQUAMAN thanks to strong early tracking.
A sequel to a comic-book movie? I know, astounding, but it's by no means a guarantee, especially as Warner Bros. is still in the process of reshuffling the DCEU following the exit of Zack Snyder as they attempt to find their own voice. It's obvious that AQUAMAN is meant to be the start of a new franchise, but with the exception of WONDER WOMAN, Warner Bros. has never exactly been able to announce a sequel on the back of a well-received film. The THR report mentions that AQUAMAN is looking at a $65 million domestic opening, and that's against the strong competition of MARY POPPINS RETURNS and BUMBLEBEE. No writer has been commissioned just yet (Geoff Johns, James Wan, and Will Beall came up with the story for the first film, which was scripted by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall), but it does show that Aquaman will likely have a part to play in Warner Bros.' DCEU future, assuming it performs well. For her part, Amber Heard told THR that she's hoping for a Mera/Wonder Woman spin-off.
In addition to those sweet box-office bucks, AQUAMAN may also receive positive reviews, as the first official reactions to the upcoming film have praised the film as a hugely entertaining adventure with spectacular visuals and great action which embraced its comic-book roots. Our own Paul Shirey loved the film, saying that "It’s a comic book movie through & through with great action, iconic moments & visual spectacle to spare. Momoa makes the character his own & Wan honors the traditional aspects, but elevates it to the modern era. It’s a blast." You can look forward to Paul's full review of the film on December 11th.
The official synopsis for AQUAMAN:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.
AQUAMAN hits theaters on December 21, 2018.