The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer is really good

La bande-annonce d'Aquaman et du Royaume perdu est vraiment bonne

As the proverbial curtain rises, DC Studios reveals the first of its highly anticipated trailers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a cinematic opus marking the denouement of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). And surprisingly, the trailer is pretty good – it's even been compared to the Matrix sequels.

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As a harbinger of the future DC Universe, this second solo escapade for Jason Momoa's aquatic superhero plays a dual role: it's both an ending and a new beginning. But Momoa is not alone in diving back into the aquatic abyss. A host of familiar faces – Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman and Willem Dafoe, among others – reprise their roles. This constellation of talents provides director James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring) with the essential palette to create a gripping sequel. And it seems he did. How could we doubt him?

Four years after the first Aquaman film, Arthur Curry finds himself at a crucial moment in his life. He is not only the king of Atlantis, but also a father. Surprise ! But the idyllic underwater kingdom he rules is soon threatened by the nefarious return of Black Manta, played with diabolical verve by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

With the stakes higher than ever, Arthur teams up with his half-brother Orm, played by Patrick Wilson, to try to protect Atlantis from imminent peril. The ancient and malevolent Black Manta is not only back – he is gifted with the mythical Black Trident, a weapon steeped in antiquity and malevolence. To counter this overwhelming force, Aquaman seeks to ally himself with his imprisoned brother, Orm.

The first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom reveals the half-brothers' need to bury their past differences and fend off a common enemy intent on wreaking irreversible destruction.

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The film received particular attention due to the return of Amber Heard following her much-publicized defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp. Although his role was scrutinized by fans and allegedly downplayed, director James Wan made it clear that the goal of the sequel was still to explore the evolving dynamic between Arthur and Orm.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the fourth DC film planned for release this year, following the disappointing openings of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash and Blue Beetle. Can they strike gold with this DCEU swan song? It's possible.

With DC Studios under the new leadership of co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, the Aquaman sequel carries added weight, as no explicit announcements have been made regarding Momoa's continued involvement in the next chapter of the DC Universe.

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If the inaugural trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is to be believed, viewers should expect a cinematic spectacle on December 20, 2023.