Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Navigating Troubled Waters or Sinking Ship?

by Annika July 20, 2023

In the murky waters of superhero film production, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” seems to be facing its share of choppy seas. The sequel to 2018’s wildly successful “Aquaman”, which made over $1.148 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing DC movie of all time, is reportedly struggling to replicate the tidal wave of success of its predecessor.

Initial reports suggest that the film, which wrapped up principal photography in January 2022 and is scheduled for a December 2023 release, has faced significant challenges during post-production. A series of test screenings have produced what insiders have labeled “uninspiring” results, plunging the movie into further turmoil. Respected leaker ViewerAnon went on record stating that after multiple test screenings, the film was “boring” and potentially one of the “worst DCEU movies.”

As if these challenges weren’t enough, the production has been rocked by major changes in overseers, with Warner Bros’ new film boss, Pam Abdy, attempting to step in and alter the film’s course. However, her cut of the film seemed to have capsized, leading to even lower test screening scores and another round of expensive reshoots.

One significant casualty of the reshoots was the removal of Batman scenes from the film. Originally, the plan was to include Ben Affleck’s Batman, replacing Michael Keaton’s version of the character. However, with James Gunn at the helm of DC Studios, these scenes were scrapped. Sources indicate that the decision came in the wake of the franchise’s planned reboot, making it unnecessary to promise a future that will not materialize.

Despite these setbacks, the film’s production team is not ready to abandon ship. In an unprecedented move, the team conducted a third round of reshoots which reportedly went well under director James Wan, finishing in just four days.

With Warner Bros investing a hefty $205 million before considering the cost of reshoots in a film filled with CGI, the studio is clearly pinning its hopes on the film’s potential to replicate the blockbuster success of the first installment.

So, can DC weather the storm and bring “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” to safe harbor? As we anticipate its December release, one thing is clear: DC’s voyage in the world of superhero cinema is far from smooth sailing. Whether these production troubles will make or break “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” remains to be seen, but it’s clear that DC will have to navigate these rough waters with care if it wants to keep its ship afloat.