It looks like Jason Momoa's days as the DC Universe's Atlantean King are truly coming to an end. This week, several reports have circulated online claiming that the anticipated Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the latest victim of Warner Bros. Discovery's questionable creative decisions.
Since the official confirmation that DC Studios will be shepherded by James Gunn and Peter Safran, Momoa has been sparking speculation about a potential character change in the rebooted DCU. Now, a new rumor reveals exactly why the actor is so adamant about playing Lobo and abandoning the Aquaman role altogether.
Insider Jeff Sneider (via The Direct) is the latest to report about Aquaman 2's rumored negative test screening results and according to him, it's Momoa's main reason for wanting to get cast as Lobo in Gunn and Safran's rebooted franchise. Additionally, Sneider claims DC Studios hasn't made it official yet because Warner Bros. Discovery is still hoping to replicate the first film's box office triumph.
He said: "I hear it’s terrible and that’s why Momoa is gonna be Lobo going forward. But they can’t say that yet because then it would be a lame duck… and DC is hoping to wring another billion out of the box office. First one was awful too, so not a huge surprise."
Also Read: Amber Heard’s Aquaman 2 Performance Reportedly the Film’s Only Redeeming Factor
Test screenings for Aquaman 2 were said to be quite underwhelming, with one tipster saying the film suffered from WB intervening too much with James Wan's creative vision. Amber Heard's brief involvement in the sequel is also reportedly its only saving grace and that says a lot for a franchise that was able to generate a billion dollars for the then-DCEU.
But does it really matter at this point? Gunn and Safran are rebooting the franchise anyway so I don't think the poor performance of the next three films (The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2) will affect the new DCU.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is slated for theatrical release on December 25, 2023.
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