Aquaman: 9 Things We Want to See in The Trench Film

Warner Bros. recently announced plans to develop an Aquaman spinoff, tentatively titled The Trench. As the name suggests, the film will focus on the Trench, a race of sea creatures that feature rather minimally in Aquaman, but leave a lasting impression.

This comes courtesy of the incredible practical and digital effects that brought The Trench to life on the big screen. In comics, this race of creatures doesn’t have a notably rich history, as it debuted during DC’s New 52 relaunch in 2011. Still, this is a project worthy of anticipation. The following list will look at nine things we hope to see explored in The Trench.

DR. SHIN

Marine Biologist Dr. Stephen Shin plays a tangential part in Aquaman. Since his New 52 introduction, he’s proven an interesting character. Most importantly, he serves as an antagonist who’s obsessed with Atlantis, which destroys his career and turns him into a madman.

Much of that comes to life on screen, but it would be great if he has a more robust role in The Trench. In Aquaman #3 (2011), Aquaman takes one of the Trench to Shin after encountering the creatures for the first time. To Shin’s chagrin, Aquaman won’t allow him to further analyze Trench biology. Perhaps the upcoming film could allow Shin the chance he was deprived in the comics.

AN EMPHASIS ON HORROR

Accompanying the announcement of The Trench were a few brief details about the film itself. One detail worthy of mention is that the script will reportedly be “horror-tinged.” This seems to suggest the final product won’t focus too heavily on the genre.

However, at present, especially with the project being in its nascent stages, it’s hard to discern exactly how much horror will factor into the overall experience. Hopefully, the genre takes center stage. The Aquaman sequence featuring the amphibian race certainly allowed Director James Wan to explore his horror roots. Fingers are crossed the same tone will be present throughout the Trench’s solo outing.

THE TRENCH'S ORIGINS

Atlantis at it appears in the DCEU Aquaman movie.

Based on the few details offered in the film, the Trench’s origins in Aquaman are similar to those in the New 52. Long before Atlantis sank to the ocean’s depths, the Trench were a race of relatively normal humanoids. After the city falls, its surviving inhabitants splinter into three groups, or seven in the film universe.

The Trench count as one such clan, and are forced to adapt to the harsh conditions of their new habitat in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Consequently, their biology devolves, transforming them into incredibly monstrous beings. Here is to hoping some of this will receive exploration on the big screen.

COCOONS

This is a weird one. Early in the New 52’s run of Aquaman comics, the Trench use cocoons as a way to preserve food for deep sea travel and storage. Living organisms, such as humans, are entrapped in a bioluminescent cocoon made by the Trench.

Based on the imagery depicted in Aquaman #4 (2011), once the creatures return home, they line the walls of their king’s and queen’s throne room with the cocoons for feeding. It's a disturbing sight, indeed, one that would inarguably feel right at home in a horror film. Somehow, a similar scene must be translated to The Trench’s big screen outing.

THE TRENCH'S HIERARCHY

Because of the Trench’s limited screen time, Aquaman does not delve too deeply into the intricacies involving the race’s power dynamics. Do the Trench have a clear and present hierarchy akin to that which is depicted of the other Atlantean kingdoms?

This is not apparent in the 2018 film; however, hopefully, this will receive exploration during the recently announced spinoff project. In the comics, the Trench are governed by a king and queen. Somewhat similar to bees, subjects to the Trench’s crown bring food back to their habit. Perhaps, in some form or fashion, this level of detail will come to life on film.

ATTACKING ON LAND

The Trench’s brief role in Aquaman only affords them an opportunity to wreak havoc at sea. But it would be interesting to see how the mysterious race of amphibious creatures fare on land. Upon their debut in the New 52, the Trench are seen swimming to shore, where a number of them launch an attack on a beach town for sustenance.

Humans and any other living beings they can get their webbed hands on, such as dogs, serve as their food of choice in this instance. It is horrific scene that unfolds in comics. Surely, this kind of behavior could translate well to the screen.

UNIQUE LANGUAGE

Following the collapse of Atlantis into the ocean, a number of groups split into their own kingdoms. This, of course, ushers in cultural divides amongst Atlanteans. Thus, the Trench develops their own language, one that Aquaman, in the comics at least, does not fully comprehend.

If their unique way of communicating is translated to screen, it stands to reason that much of The Trench would require the use of subtitles. As such, their language’s being present throughout the film’s entirety seems rather unlikely. Still, the language coming to life in even the most minimal of ways would be a nice nod to the Trench’s comic origins.

EXPLANATION FOR THEIR BOAT ATTACK

During the Trench sequence in Aquaman, the creatures attack Arthur’s and Mera’s boat. Why this occurs isn’t made clear. Is it just because the duo was perceived as invading Trench territory? Was the massive group of creatures looking for someone to feast on? We can only hope the answers to these questions will be broached in the standalone film.

Early in the New 52, the creatures board a fishing boat for food; apparently, humans represent their only nearby source for sustenance. Maybe we will learn the same is true with regards to the Aquaman scene, perhaps in a sequence merely referencing Arthur and Mera, since Aquaman’s core cast won’t feature.

KING TRENCH

Admittedly, King Trench does not play much of a central role in the source material. As his name suggests, he’s King of the Trench, and will exert his power when necessary. Typically, the character appears in combat situations, leading his people into battle.

Most interesting about King Trench, though, is his character design. At first glance, he seems identical to the rest of the Trench, but the tendrils on his face, as well as his body scarring set him apart from everyone else. Given the impressive practical and visual effects that brought the Trench to life in Aquaman, he’d be quite the treat to see translated in live-action.