On Thursday night, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder tweeted the first image of Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa as DC Comics superhero Aquaman, captioning the photo with “There is only one true King. #UniteTheSeven.” The photo shows Momoa wearing a more battle-ready version of his traditional orange and green costume, some pretty fierce tattoos and holding a trident — Aquaman’s signature weapon.
To this we say… Hell. No. Come on Hollywood, what the hell? We just started trying to get used to a black Johnny Storm, and you pull THIS? Now, while we will totally agree to the fact that the costume looks pretty badass, we just don’t see Jason Momoa as Aquaman. We would have cast Kellan Lutz (The Legend of Hercules). Lutz actually LOOKS like Aquaman, while Jason Momoa looks like a sand-crusted, juiced-up Samoan who found some armour and decided that he wanted to liberate Hawaii. Unfortunately, Jason Momoa has already been cast, the movie is coming out, and we all will just have to deal with it.
If you don’t know who Aquaman is, we’re gonna help you out. Snyder seems to be using the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, so we’re gonna go with that. Aquaman is the heir to the Atlantean Royal Family, and a founding member of the Justice League of America. He was conceived after his mother, Queen Atlanna — who was unable to birth children with her husband, King Trevis — was knocked up in a dream by an immortal wizard named Atlan. Aquaman’s powers include enhanced strength, reflexes and agility, the ability to telepathically communicate with sea life and anyone on Earth, and happens to be a damn good swimmer.
We think that this means that there will be other Justice League pics coming soon, as we already have Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Henry Cavill is coming back as Clark Kent/Superman in Batman V. Superman, while Ben Affleck will be making his debut as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Diana Prince/Wonder Woman is also expected to make her first appearance in the film, played by Israeli hottie Gal Gadot, before her film premieres in 2017.
The remaining Justice League members would have been Green Lantern, The Flash and Martian Manhunter, but the Martian Manhunter was swapped with Cyborg. Ezra Miller has been cast as the Flash and will have his own film in 2018, while Ray Fisher will play Cyborg, with his film coming in 2020. A new Green Lantern movie is set for 2020, though it’s unlikely that Ryan Reynolds will return to the role. Because his Green Lantern flick kinda sucked.
All the Justice League members will be featured in “Justice League,” a two-part team-up film which will also be directed by Snyder, with part one hitting theatres in 2017 and part two in 2019. Momoa’s Aquaman will make his first appearance in Batman V. Superman, with his own solo film set to premiere in the summer of 2018.
Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice will hit theatres on March 26, 2016.
What do you think of Jason Momoa as Aquaman?
