Director James Wan has revealed that the now-cancelled Aquaman spinoff titled The Trench was secretly a DC Extended Universe film focusing on the villain Black Manta – who was first introduced in 2018’s Aquaman.
Responding to a question from a fan on his Instagram account, Wan confirmed the true plans for The Trench movie after the project was shelved by Warner Bros. and DC earlier this year. “I’ll let you in on a secret, the cancelled Trench spin-off movie was really going to be a secret Black Manta movie,” Wan said.
Although the Black Manta orientated spinoff has been shelved, the antagonist, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is set to return for the upcoming 2022 sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom after re-appearing during the post-credit scene in the first film.
Back in April 2021, reports stated that sources close to the project were under the impression that The Trench was shelved as DC felt that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was “considered enough” for now and the studio would return to this project if fans clamour for more stories set in the Atlantean kingdoms.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom reunites director James Wan with Aquaman stars Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry), Amber Heard (Mera), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Black Manta), Patrick Wilson (Orm), Temuera Morrison (Tom Curry), Randall Park (Stephen Shin), Dolph Lundgren (King Nereus) alongside new DCEU additions Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones), Indya Moore (Queen & Slim), Vincent Regan (300) and Jani Zhao (South).
Aquaman and the Last Kingdom is scheduled for release on December 16th 2022.