DirectorJames Wanis currently knee-deep in production onAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to his billion dollar-grossing 2018 DC superhero film. Wan took to Instagram and posted a bunch of new images of the villainous Black Manta, and the Silver Age-inspired look of the character and the sets.
Black Manta is played in theAquamanfilms byYahya Abdul-Mateen II, who was featured prominently in one of the pictures that Wan posted. Other images displayed the campy-looking cave and submarine sets, as well as the character’s costume, all of which and morewas teasedduring the recent DC FanDome event. Black Manta/David Kane was introduced in the firstAquamanfilm, in an action scene set inside a Russian submarine. Aquaman infiltrated the submarine and during a fight, David’s pirate father was killed. David vowed to avenge his life, and later assumed the identity of Black Manta.
Wan wrote in the caption of his post:
“Black Manta (played by the talented and badass @yahya) and his ship/tech inspired by the aesthetic of the Silver Age (and New 52, thank you @ivanreisart) comics. Months and months of meticulous detailing were spent on costume and production designs. #aquaman2 #lostkingdom #silverage"
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Black Manta was created in 1967 byBob HaneyandNick Cardy, and has had numerous origin stories over the years. The New 52 iteration of the character that Wan tipped his hat to is also motivated by revenge.
Abdul-Mateen II broke out with a supporting role inBaz Luhrmann’s short-lived Netflix seriesThe Get Down. He has since delivered critically acclaimed performances inDamon Lindelof’sWatchmenminiseries on HBO andAaron Sorkin’sThe Trial of the Chicago 7. As a leading man, he most recently appeared inNia DaCosta’sCandymansequel/reboot. He will soon play another iconic character inThe Matrix Resurrections; in which,he recently revealed, he has been cast as the new Morpheus. He will also co-star in directorMichael Bay’s new action film,Ambulance, which better be good because Baynearly killed peoplewhile making it.
Wan, best known for his horror fare, delivered perhaps themost divisive filmof his career recently.Malignant, his homage to Italian giallo cinema, starredAnnabelle Wallisin the lead role and was released simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters, where it failed to recover its reported $40 million budget.
Aquaman and the Lost KingdomstarsJason Momoain the title role, and also featuresAmber Heard,Patrick Wilson,Dolph Lundgren, andTemuera Morrison. The film is slated to release on July 28, 2025. You can check out Wan’s post here:
KEEP READING:‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’: Release Date, Cast, Filming Details, and Everything We Know So Far
