LOS ANGELES, Calif. – “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” underwent extensive reshoots following Warner Bros.’ decision to reboot the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), resulting in significant changes to the film. The reshoots involved the removal of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne and a complete revision of the storyline.
Initially, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne was set to reprise his role as Batman in the sequel, acting as a Nick Fury-like character in the DCEU by recruiting superheroes for an upcoming crisis. However, Ben Affleck’s Batman stepped in to film a cameo instead when the decision was made to remove Keaton’s character altogether. The filmmakers ultimately opted to create a standalone film without Batman.
In a recent interview promoting his film “Wanted Man,” actor Dolph Lundgren disclosed that the reshoots had a more significant impact than just eliminating cameo appearances. Lundgren, who played a role in the original script, revealed that the reshoots altered the storyline and reduced his and Amber Heard’s involvement in the film. He shared his disappointment but acknowledged that life goes on.
Amber Heard, who portrays Mera in the sequel, had previously voiced her concerns about her reduced role. Lundgren’s statement now adds further support to Heard’s claims. It’s worth noting that Heard’s involvement in legal battles with her ex-husband Johnny Depp had already brought attention to her role in the film.
Despite these challenges, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has proven to be one of the more successful recent releases in the DCEU. The film has already surpassed $330 million at the global box office and is projected to exceed $400 million by the end of its theatrical run. However, these numbers fall short of the first film’s remarkable box office performance of over $1.15 billion worldwide.
Fans of “Aquaman” now wonder how the character fits into James Gunn’s new DC Universe. It is heavily speculated that Jason Momoa, who portrays Aquaman, will continue with WB/DC as Lobo, potentially ruling out the possibility of the studio introducing another actor to share screen time with Momoa in a Justice League or team-up movie.
Released on December 22, 2023, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” attracted audiences to theaters. As for those who missed it, the film’s availability on OnDemand or streaming platforms like MAX has yet to be confirmed.
In summary, the reshoots of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” brought significant changes to the film, including the removal of Michael Keaton’s character and alterations to the storyline. Actor Dolph Lundgren expressed his disappointment over the reduced roles for himself and Amber Heard. Despite these challenges, the film has achieved considerable success at the box office, though falling short of its predecessor’s record-breaking numbers. Fans now speculate on the future of Aquaman in the evolving DC Universe.