While it remains firmly entrenched in the DC Extended Universe, director James Wan has revealed to Den of Geek that he deliberately set out to tell “a standalone story” with Aquaman – one that wasn’t “necessarily part of a ‘cinematic universe.'”
“We’ve seen him in other films, but I really wanted to tell a standalone story,” said Wan. “People ask me why. And I’m like: ‘Listen, you guys have so many movies to do with Superman and Batman and all that already. Let’s give this guy his time in the limelight. This is his opportunity. He’s never had the chance before. Let’s just let it be his film, and get that right. And maybe then we can have fun mixing him up with the other characters. It’s ultimately about the journey that he goes on. I didn’t want to jam the other characters in just for the sake of jamming characters in there.”
SEE ALSO: Director James Wan is yet to sign on for Aquaman sequel
Given that we’ve only really seen Arthur Curry in action alongside the rest of the Justice League, it definitely makes sense to keep the spotlight on Aquaman in his first big screen outing in order to firmly establish the character with the audience. And, based on the reviews and early international box office, it’s a decision that seems to be paying off…
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 is directed by James Wan (The Conjuring) and stars Jason Momoa as the titular hero, reprising his role from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, along with Amber Heard as Mera, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, Willem Dafoe as Dr. Vulko, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Ludi Lin as Murk, Michael Beach as Jesse Kane, Djimon Hounsou as the Fisherman King, Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin, Otis Dhanji as a young Arthur Curry, Julie Andrews as Karathen and Graham McTavish as King Atlan.
