On the finish of 2023, the DC Prolonged Universe got here to an in depth after Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom solely made slightly over $439 million globally, a far cry from the primary film, which garnered headlines for hitting the billion greenback membership. It isn’t simply field workplace that was its pitfall, however the overhaul by James Gunn and co. of the complete superhero universe. However if you happen to had been to ask one main star, it is OK it is throughout now, child blue.
Within the sequel, Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry joined forces with Patrick Wilson’s Orm, a.okay.a. Ocean Grasp, although his half-brother spent the final film attempting to kill him. Luckily, the 2 ended on a lot better phrases with one another within the final of the DCEU’s DC motion pictures so as, which is why Wilson is OK with the Aquaman franchise ending. When requested if he hoped the Aquaman movie sequence had lasted longer than two motion pictures, he answered:
Was I hoping it will be extra? I don’t assume so. I imply, I say this as a man who’s finished a number of “Insidious” motion pictures, a number of ‘Conjurings,’ a pair ‘Aquaman.’ It’s not like there’s a stigma to me in opposition to sequels. It’s simply once you take a look at the construction of Orm — unhealthy man within the first one, principally a great man in the second — I don’t know the place else he goes. I wasn’t signed on for a 3rd. There was no frustration. I don’t know the place the story would go.
The actor shared these ideas whereas being interviewed by Selection about his new film Millers in Marriage, which is now enjoying on the 2025 launch schedule. However regarding the finish of his DC profession, he has some extent.
Orm begins out in 2018’s Aquaman as a villain, albeit a sympathetic one since he’s indignant about how the floor world has polluted the oceans. Then in Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom, after almost half a decade of imprisonment, Orm is damaged out to assist Arthur monitor down Black Manta and foil his schemes.
There’s a pleasant evolutionary journey unfold throughout two motion pictures, and the final time we see Patrick Wilson’s character, he’s having fun with a cheeseburger for the primary time. What else would there be to do apart from simply have Orm group up with Arthur once more?
Even earlier than it was introduced that the DCEU would come to an in depth and the DC Universe franchise would rise from the ashes, there was by no means any official indication that Aquaman 3 was within the playing cards. Nevertheless, that’s to not say that Patrick Wilson would have turned down showing in a threequel if it’d come his method. As he put it:
I wouldn’t be against it. We had a good time taking pictures the second. I had one of the best time. I really feel actually lucky to have my two forays into superheroes be these weird characters of Evening Owl Two [in “Watchmen”] and Ocean Grasp. It’s unusual and odd and bizarre, and I dig that. I’m not going to lie. So, I’m pleased with that ship crusing.
Though some parts of the DCEU are being retained for the DCU, the Aquaman nook of the previous franchise isn’t one in all them. Working example, Jason Momoa is enjoying Lobo in Supergirl: Lady of Tomorrow, the upcoming DC film lined up for summer season 2026. Possibly a possibility will come alongside for Patrick Wilson to play a unique position within the DCU, however for now, he’s snug with placing Orm behind him.
When you’d prefer to revisit both of the Aquaman motion pictures, they will each be streamed with a Max subscription. In any other case, watch the DCU lastly take off on the massive display when the James Gunn-helmed Superman opens on July 11.