Despite the perception that ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ has been quietly awaiting release, recent reports indicate that the highly anticipated sequel is undergoing significant revisions. When the film finally hits the big screen, audiences can expect a vastly different experience from its original version. A new report from THR reveals that one of the recent changes involves completely eliminating Ben Affleck’s Batman from the movie.
According to sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter, ‘Aquaman 2’ has undergone multiple rounds of reshoots to reflect the ever-evolving state of the DC Universe. Initially, both Affleck and Michael Keaton filmed scenes for the movie. Former DC Films head Walter Hamada had envisioned Keaton’s Batman as a Nick Fury-like figure, bridging the gap between films and serving as a mentor to other superheroes. However, this concept suffered a setback when Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the ‘Batgirl’ project.
Following the lackluster performance of ‘The Flash,’ which failed to make a significant impact at the global box office despite featuring multiple Batmen, the new approach seems to be removing Batman entirely from ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ Sources explain that James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new heads of DC, aim to avoid presenting a shared universe before it has fully taken shape. This course correction addresses one of the major missteps of the past in the DC Extended Universe. Sources also indicate a growing inclination to make ‘Aquaman 2’ a more standalone film, distancing it from the broader DCEU.
Image via Warner Bros.
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What’s Next for Aquaman 2?
The primary reason for these changes in ‘Aquaman 2′ boils down to one simple factor: money. The first solo adventure of the superhero stands as the highest-grossing DC film of all time, surpassing $1 billion at the global box office. This figure demonstrates that the character’s popularity exceeds Warner Bros.’ initial expectations. Consequently, the studio wants the sequel to replicate that success. A lackluster performance comparable to ‘The Flash’ would be detrimental to the studio, as ‘Aquaman’ has proven to be a major box office draw. Releasing an imperfect sequel could potentially harm the franchise.
Additionally, several test screenings are being conducted, a common practice for blockbuster films, to gauge audience reactions. Despite the chaos surrounding the production, Warner Bros. ultimately appears confident that ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ has the potential to be a hit. Otherwise, the studio would either shelve the project or release it without significant changes, rather than investing millions of dollars in reshoots.
Currently, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is scheduled for release on December 20, following multiple delays. However, there is no official confirmation regarding whether the recent alterations will further impact the movie’s release date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aquaman 2 changes
What changes have been made to Aquaman 2?
According to reports, Aquaman 2 has undergone major changes, including the complete removal of Ben Affleck’s Batman from the movie. The film is aiming to be more standalone and distancing itself from the broader DC Extended Universe.
Why was Ben Affleck’s Batman cut from Aquaman 2?
The decision to remove Ben Affleck’s Batman from Aquaman 2 was reportedly made to steer away from presenting a shared universe before it fully takes shape. The new heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran, want to avoid the mistakes of the past and focus on creating a more standalone film.
What is the reason behind the changes in Aquaman 2?
The primary reason for the changes in Aquaman 2 is the financial success of the first film. With Aquaman being the highest-grossing DC movie ever, Warner Bros. wants to ensure that the sequel can replicate that success. Additionally, audience response and feedback from test screenings are also influencing the changes to the film.
Is Aquaman 2 still part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU)?
While Aquaman 2 was initially intended to be part of the DC Extended Universe, the recent changes suggest a shift towards making the film more standalone and cutting ties with the DCEU. The new approach aims to create a unique story for Aquaman rather than focusing on building a shared universe.
Has the release date of Aquaman 2 been affected by the changes?
As of now, there is no official word on whether the recent changes will impact the release date of Aquaman 2. The film is currently slated for a December 20 release, but any further delays or adjustments to the release date have not been confirmed.
More about Aquaman 2 changes
- THR: Aquaman 2 Changes
- IGN: Aquaman 2 to Be More Standalone
- ScreenRant: Aquaman 2 Updates
- Variety: Aquaman 2 Reshoots
- Collider: Aquaman 2 Changes DC Universe
5 comments
oh man, i can’t believe they cut ben affleck’s batman from aquaman 2! i was really looking forward to seeing him in the movie. but i guess they wanna make it more standalone and not mess with the shared universe thing. hope it still turns out good though!
so the new dc heads are trying to fix the mistakes of the past and make aquaman 2 its own thing. i can respect that. the shared universe stuff can get messy. but hey, as long as the movie is entertaining and makes bank, i’m all for it!
i’m a bit bummed about the changes in aquaman 2, but hey, they gotta do what they think is best for the film. if the first one did so well, they wanna make sure lightning strikes twice. let’s hope it’s worth the wait!
omg, the first aquaman movie made so much $$$, it’s no wonder they’re making all these changes to the sequel. they don’t wanna screw up a good thing, you know? but removing batman completely? that’s a bold move. let’s see if it pays off.
i read somewhere that they’re doing test screenings for aquaman 2. smart move, if you ask me. they wanna see how audiences react and make changes accordingly. it’s always good to get feedback before releasing a big movie like this.