Riding high on his box office smash FURIOUS 7, director James Wan has locked in to not just one but two major studio pictures. Reports confirm that Wan will helm DC's AQUAMAN starring Jason Momoa as well as Sony's anime adaptation ROBOTECH. Both films will begin filming after Wan finishes helming THE CONJURING 2: THE ENDFIELD EXPERIMENT this Fall. With that film slated for release next summer, Wan is going to have his hands very full.
Wan will be overseeing the script process for AQUAMAN. Writer Kurt Johnstad is currently drafting the screenplay. While the movie is not even set for release until July 27, 2018, the fact that Warner Bros is slowing development to await involvement from Wan should put at ease anyone's concerns that the studio is rushing to get their movies in theaters.
As for the ROBOTECH news, this confirms rumors we have been hearing for a while now. While the film is set up at Sony and Wan now has two films gearing up with WB so we may not see ROBOTECH until after 2018. I would anticipate Wan's involvement with two major tentpole projects, both requiring heavy special effects and post-production, means both studios are prepared to wait these out.
It is quite amazing to see Wan's popularity grow. Just a few years ago, he was the guy behind INSIDIOUS and the critic-proof SAW franchise. Now, here he is directing some of the biggest projects imaginable. Stay tuned for more details as these projects develop.