The world-building of DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has greatly expanded with the release of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Despite being given poor reviews by critics, the film became a huge box-office success this Friday and has already begun setting up future film franchises. And according to director James Wan, BvS director Zack Snyder will have some influence over the upcoming Aquaman solo film.
As a member of the Justice League, Aquaman has already made a short, but quick cameo in BvS that gave fans their first look at the superhero. Played by Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones), Aquaman will be a new version of the superhero that will be more influenced by Polynesian culture, as expressed with his tattoos and new armor. The project is still in development, but director James Wan has already been teasing fans of what’s to come with upcoming sea monster villains.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Wan describes how he will balance a solo Aquaman movie that will incorporate parts of the universe that Zack Snyder has created:
“Well, I think the story that I would like to tell is still at the end of the day my story. And that’s what’s cool with Zack, is that he’s actually very respectful of that. He’s actually helping me out in some ways with certain things that he’s doing with his [films] so that I can have better groundwork with the standalone Aquaman story.”
The director echoes a similar sentiment in an interview with ComingSoon.net about creating an original movie while still in the confines of the DCEU:
“That is a house of cards. That is one with a lot of story strains and story plot. Whether you go work in DC or go work at Marvel, the sandbox is kind of established and you kind of have to play within the sandbox. The key is to, hopefully, when you’re in the sandbox, to create your own castle.”
In the same interview, Wan teases that fans might see Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring 2) as the president in Aquaman. While the actor only voiced the character in Batman V Superman, Wan confirms that you "just might" see more of the president.
In addition to his previous comments about a ‘fun’ Aquaman movie, Wan is dedicated to projecting his own vision onto Aquaman. This will be a relief for many who would like to see a more light-hearted superhero movie. Given that Wan has jumped into another film series by directing Furious 7, the director seems capable to take on a movie with an established universe and mythology. At the very least, it will be interesting to see how Wan incorporates a differing tone in 2018’s Aquaman solo adventure.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is now playing in U.S. theaters. Suicide Squad will arrive on August 5, 2016, followed by Wonder Woman on June 23, 2017; Justice League Part One on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 16, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps. on June 19, 2020.
Source: Cinema Blend, Coming Soon