Jason Momoa’s ‘Aquaman 2’ Influenced By Silver Age Comics With Black Manta

Aquaman James Wan Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Black Manta Suicide Squad James Gunn Jason Momoa

The screenwriter for Aquaman 2 has revealed that the Jason Momoa film will be taking inspiration from Silver Age comics that feature Black Manta.

One of the most anticipated movies from Warner Bros. and DC’s slate is Aquaman 2, which will have Jason Momoa reprising his iconic role as Arthur Curry. The first Aquaman was an unprecedented success and has become DC’s most profitable film to date. As expected with such high box office returns, a sequel starring Jason Momoa was immediately planned and is set to hit cinemas in 2022. Besides its financial success, the film was also critically lauded for being a fun, fresh take on the character of Aquaman. In fact, the villainous Black Manta was also praised quite heavily for his comic-accurate look.

While it has been known for quite some time that Aquaman 2 would see the return of Black Manta, we now know the vibe that the Jason Momoa sequel will be going for. Screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick was asked on Twitter which direction the Aquaman sequel would be going in. Of course, spoilers weren’t distilled but the screenwriter did reveal that the film’s script was inspired by Silver Age comics that feature Black Manta.

The screenwriter’s comments are quite vague but they do expertly point out the importance of Black Manta. Black Manta has always been one of Aquaman’s most cunning foes and we got a tasteful look at his prowess in the the character’s first cinematic solo outing starring Jason Momoa. The Silver Age Aquaman comics are best remembered for fleshing out the character of Arthur Curry, as well as introducing iconic villians like Black Manta. The first Aquaman film borrowed quite a bit from the Silver Age, but with these comments and the emphasis on Black Manta, we can imagine that the Jason Momoa sequel will focus a lot more on Black Manta’s origin.

Are you excited to see Black Manta’s return in Jason Momoa’s Aquaman 2? Let us know in the comments section!

Here’s the official synopsis for Jason Momoa’s first Aquaman film:

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an acition-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.

Directed by James Wan, Aquaman stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, Amber Heard as Mera, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Patrick Wilson as Orm / Ocean Master, Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, and Randall Park as Stephen Shin.

Aquaman is available on Digital HD, 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD.

Jason Momoa’s Aquaman 2 is set for a December 16, 2022 release date.

Source: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick