James Wan Talks About How the Horror and Superhero Genres Will Mix in the Upcoming Sequel to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Black Manta from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is seeking retribution. In filmmaker James Wan’s first Aquaman (2018), actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II may have been given a much lesser part as the super-villain, but in the next sequel, Black Manta will wield the awesome power of the Black Trident. Black Manta declares in the latest teaser, “I’m going to kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear.” Additionally, a considerably darker tone than in the previous film is hinted at in the clip. During a conversation with Collider, director James Wan stated:

“[I] naturally lean into that darker stuff. I felt like the Aquaman films allow me to play in my love for the horror genre, but still make them fun and not necessarily too scary that young kids that may like these films — and not be able to watch because it’s too frightening. [It’s a] fine line — the early Spielberg sort of spirit.”

Wan added:

“Yeah, we can kind of lean dark, but it can also be fun as well. There definitely is sort of shades of that in this world. We’re just leaning into the monsters of it all. But for me, it really is just kind of scratching the surface. It makes me want to do more, put it that way.”

Black Manta isn’t content to only devastate Aquaman’s (Jason Momoa) realms above and below the surface. The super-villain, on the other hand, pledges a far bloodier way to achieve his goal. The Aquaman character, played by Temuera Morrison, is shown in the trailer hanging out in front of his father’s lighthouse with Mera (Amber Heard), his infant son, and his parents. However, Black Manta’s fury could jar this heroic story into the realm of terror.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s Horror

Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta has grand plans to exact unfathomable retribution against Jason Momoa’s Aquaman. Black Manta declares in the latest teaser for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, “I’m gonna murder his family.” The clip shows the super-villain and his troops reveling in the burning destruction of Thomas Curry’s (Morrison) once-grand lighthouse as Black Manta triumphantly lifts his trident amidst the flames. As Arthur and Atlanna (Kidman) rush toward the destruction, is Aquaman’s father still inside the destroyed building? Tom Curry’s death would undoubtedly stretch the limits of the superhero sequel into the darker themes and reality more closely associated with the horror genre.

And while promoting Insidious: The Red Door, Wan spoke exclusively with MovieWeb on the fusion of the superhero and horror movie genres. Wan uttered:

“I think the fandom between the two worlds kind of crossover. It is interesting that a lot of horror directors have gone on to make superhero movies. A lot of us have crossed over to make superhero films. I think the storytelling aspect is what we gravitate to, and we tell stories that are heightened in the horror genre. We then get to do it again in the superhero genre, and I do think they complement each other very well in some respect.”

The death of Tom Curry would undoubtedly break the spirit of Aquaman. In order to preserve both the above and below, Arthur must work with his brother, the former King Orm, also known as the Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson), who now has control of the Black Trident. Fans can view the brand-new trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom right now. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits cinemas on December 20, 2023.