While Black Manta won’t be the primary villain in next year’s Aquaman, actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen is incredibly excited for the role. The actor explains what it’s taken to get into shape and his great experience filming in Australia.
In an interview with GQ, Abdul-Mateen explained that things are going swimmingly behind the scenes of the movie:
“The scale is epic and this movie is going to be so good! I can’t say too much, but in the hands of [director] James Wan and with Jason Momoa at the helm, I think people are going to be really happy with it.”
Abdul-Mateen describes his workout regimen to prepare for the film as being exhausting, but worth it:
“It’s been about five days a week in the gym and doing fight training, too. I have a love-hate relationship with working out. I do not enjoy the experience when I’m doing it, but I never regret it. I think I’m in the best shape of my life. “
In addition, he noted that he loves filming in Australia and says that he’d recommend visiting it to anybody:
“It’s just so low stress. I love it and have been telling everyone that if they ever get the chance they should come visit. I kind of assumed all of Australia was like the Gold Coast – so I was telling people Australians just work out and go to the beach. Like, Australia has it figured out! But then I went to Sydney and it was nothing like the Gold Coast – but I still loved it.”
Black Manta is considered a fan-favorite villain for his eerie design and consistently proving to be one of Aquaman’s greatest foes, along with a threat to the Justice League as a whole. Hopefully, Abdul-Mateen can make a splash with the movie and return for future appearances in the greater DC franchise.
Aquaman will be released on December 21, 2018. Its cast includes Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Amber Heard as Mera, Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Patrick Wilson as Prince Orm Marius (Ocean Master), and Nicole Kidman as Queen Atlanna.
Source: GQ
