Peter Jackson has made a name for himself after working in some of the most renowned fantasy movies ever. From The Lord of the Rings trilogy to King Kong, he has done some great works in the genre. However, he isn’t a fan of the superhero media. It was evident when the director repeatedly refused to work at DCU.
The James Wan directorial, Aquaman is the most successful movie in the DCU (formerly DCEU) yet. The movie earned more than $1 billion and was a bonafide blockbuster in the lackluster DCEU that dreamt of becoming the next MCU. Initially, the Jason Momoa starrer was about to be very different as Peter Jackson was asked to helm the film before he rejected it not once but twice.
Peter Jackson didn’t think twice before denying DCU
It is often seen that the greatest directors often watch superhero movies with a look of distaste. Maestros like Martin Scorsese have proved it repeatedly in their statements. It looks like the fantasy king and the creator of one of the greatest trilogies ever, Peter Jackson also comes from the same school of thought.
When the former CEO of Warner Bros. Kevin Tsujihara asked Peter Jackson if he wanted to make Aquaman, the actor denied it without thinking twice. The Hobbit trilogy director stated to Empire that he rejected the former CEO Tsujihara not once but twice.
“He said, ‘Are you a fan of Aquaman?’ I said, ‘No.’ Six months later: ‘Peter, are you a fan of Aquaman?’ I said, ‘No, Kevin, I already told you this.'”
Before becoming DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership, the existing DCEU had several problems that led to its unfortunate demise before time. Even though James Wan did a commendable job directing the tale of Arthur Curry, Peter Jackson’s expertise in fantasy could add another level of beauty to the story of Curry and Atlantis.
Peter Jackson finds no passion in superhero movies
Adding more to the conversation with Empire, Peter Jackson was of the notion that he doesn’t find much passion in the superhero genre- “I’m not a superhero guy. I read Tintin… Look, films are hard. I only want to make something that I have a deep passion for.”
Although we missed a different version of Aquaman from a renowned director, Peter Jackson must be praised for his honesty and dedication to his work. It must be noted that any piece of art can’t be justified if done half-heartedly. James Wan did a commendable job with the 2018 movie that stood as an amazing entry amidst a series of disappointing ventures.
While the box office worked well for the Jason Momoa starrer in 2018, the same can’t be said for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The upcoming movie is set to be the last of the DCEU before we get our new DCU. While the casting of Amber Heard was already a big hurdle for the movie, the poor box office results of Shazam 2, The Flash, and Blue Beetle also raises skepticism among fans.
Aquaman and the Last Kingdom will be released on December 22, 2023, while Aquaman can be streamed on Max.
