The future of the “Aquaman” franchise remains a topic of considerable interest and speculation. James Wan, the director behind “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” has recently shed light on the prospects of an “Aquaman 3,” suggesting its possibility under certain conditions.
Warner Bros. positioned “Aquaman 2“ as the culmination of the DC Extended Universe’s (DCEU) decade-long narrative, leading to questions about the franchise’s continuity under the new DC Universe (DCU) vision led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. The uncertainty grows as Gunn’s rebooted slate for the DCU is unveiled, leaving fans and industry insiders pondering over the fate of their beloved characters.
Jason Momoa, the star behind the iconic Aquaman character, expressed skepticism about a third installment, particularly regarding its tone. In a candid remark, he stated, “I highly doubt it. I’m too dramatic,” casting doubts on whether a lighter, more humorous sequel would be in the cards following the recent installment.
James Wan, in conversation with Empire Magazine, stated his openness to directing “Aquaman 3,” provided he retains the creative freedom he enjoyed in the first two films. “I haven’t directed a third movie [in a series] before, so I’d be open to doing another [‘Aquaman’] if I got the same freedom I’ve had on these first two,” he said. However, he also expressed uncertainty about the future direction of the franchise under Gunn and Safran’s leadership.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn previously hinted at the possibility of actors reprising their roles from previous DC stories in the new DCU. He confirmed that the canonical narrative would commence with “Creature Commandos” and “Superman: Legacy,” without explicitly mentioning “Aquaman.” This ambiguity adds to the speculation about Aquaman’s role in the new universe.
As it stands, the likelihood of “Aquaman 3” materializing in the newly envisioned DCU seems slim, given the lack of clear indicators about Aquaman’s involvement in upcoming projects. Rumors have also surfaced about Jason Momoa potentially taking on a different character within the DCU, specifically the role of Lobo, which, if true, could further complicate his return as the King of Atlantis.
If “Aquaman 3” were to become a reality, it might align with the Elseworlds slate, a series of new projects currently under development by Gunn and Safran. As DC Studios progresses with its Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters phase, which includes nearly a dozen yet-to-be-announced projects, there remains a glimmer of hope for Aquaman’s resurgence in the reimagined DC narrative.
