Warner Bros. and DC have released the first teaser trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and fans are already excited about the return of Black Manta and his new comic-accurate costume.
Shortly after rumours started circulating over the lack of marketing for James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a 30-second teaser surfaced online, offering fans a sneak peek at the DC sequel starring Jason Momoa as the King of Atlantis, with more footage coming in the full trailer debuting on September 14.
With its theatrical release just over three months away, fans were naturally curious to see some footage of the long-awaited Aquaman sequel, with many taking to X to share their initial reactions to the trailer. The action-packed preview elicited praise from fans for its impressive visuals, large scale, and comic book nods.
Funny that the allegedly “terrible” ‘AQUAMAN’ sequel features at least three of the coolest images I’ve seen in a while in just a teaser. https://t.co/Ijn73fEcWQ
— James Preston Poole (@JamesPPoole) September 11, 2023
It really isn’t stated enough how the aspects from Aquaman comics that most view as silly & goofy, James Wan treats with 100% sincerity and it’s awesome as hell pic.twitter.com/fKNC10F0G6
— Lunwi (@Lunwi88) September 11, 2023
I'm actually stunned.
— Unbiased Snyder Fan (@snyder_all) September 11, 2023
That 4 seconds Aquaman teaser is the most impressed I've been with any DCEU marketing content since...... the last Aquaman.
It looks like something that can pull moviegoers because of its set up and scale. At least it has that going for it
It's crazy WB aren't backing the sequel to a billion dollar film in Aquaman, who cares about the state of the current DCEU. The film has a chance of bringing back the audience that enjoyed the first and loved Momoa in the role. The first wasn't top tier so why are WB scared? pic.twitter.com/U7pQnmOwvE
— MoviesThatMaher (@MoviesThatMaher) September 11, 2023
THE AQUAMAN ERA HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN. pic.twitter.com/SLUl40m1sC
— Jordan Jones (@jordnjnes) September 11, 2023
Funny that Aquaman 2 is getting buried because it actually looks sick pic.twitter.com/j1V9FTgw6i
— Jeff Zhang 张佶润 (@strangeharbors) September 11, 2023
The only line of dialogue in the trailer comes from Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who reprises his role as Black Manta, declaring: "I'm gonna kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear."
Black Manta was one of the highlights of the teaser, as the footage offered a fresh look at his new and improved costume, including his Silver Age-inspired suit and metallic helmet. Fans loved the updated look and the meticilous detail in the design while also drawing attention to the iconic scars he now bears on his face.
First look at Orm and Black Manta in ‘AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM’. pic.twitter.com/p9IyUyJ3qg
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 11, 2023
The first Black Manta suit is cool, yeah. But WOAH is the one in Aquaman 2 like the greatest CBM suit adaptation like holy fuck pic.twitter.com/ECFNe9PKFn
— Fartballs, Inc. (@fartballs_inc) September 10, 2023
Aquaman 2 is addressing my biggest problem with the first one and it was that black manta wasn’t the main villain pic.twitter.com/ZbJEc7zv39
— ?Dan 10? (@DanBoyWonder) September 11, 2023
Black manta is one of the coolest dc villains I’m hoping he has a way bigger part in this movie
— Ava_palindrome (@ava_palindrome) September 11, 2023
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is PERFECT DC CASTING as Black Manta
— BLURAYANGEL ? (@blurayangel) September 11, 2023
#AquamanandtheLostKingdom pic.twitter.com/LW3NJlFV2V
Black Manta having the scars is dope asf icl pic.twitter.com/BKi5BTmTgg
— mo (@mofromyt) September 11, 2023
Personally I think Black Manta is the best comic book character adaptation we've ever gotten in CBM history. This is how you do a comic book suit in live action. Its crazy how well Yahya Abdul-Mateen II portrays this character and his hatred for Aquaman. This is The Black Manta. pic.twitter.com/sw8K75AcPj
— Medic (@Bananchekut1) September 11, 2023
According to the logline for the sequel, Black Manta is a driving force behind the central conflict as he is out to avenge his father's death and will "stop at nothing" to defeat Aquaman once and for all.
"This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force," per the official logline. "Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman's family, and the world, from irreversible destruction."
Patrick Wilson plays Orm, Aquaman's reluctant ally in the new movie, alongside Amber Heard as Mera, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus. and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20, 2023. When it arrives, the movie will apparently "blaze a trail forward" into the new DCU, spearheaded by James Gunn and Peter Safran, with director James Wan promising that "this sequel has everything you love about the first film but more".
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
