Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s character threatening fatal harm on Aquaman with a menacing look gave the fans literal chills when he teased the havoc his Black Manta is expected to wreak in the newly released Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer.
The almost three-minute footage revealed most of the characters from the 2018 origin story returning to their roles, but fans were disappointed as one essential character was nowhere to be found, not even a glimpse!
The man who brought Nuidis Vulko to life – Willem Dafoe, was absent from the trailer and is reportedly not there in the film as well. Vulko, in Aquaman, had a crucial role in shaping Arthur Curry’s character and training him to become the King of Atlantis.
A theory has been doing the rounds that director James Wan may have set up the death of Vulko that eventually serves the story in a broader sense. But, what could the reason possibly be? Wan spilled the beans in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom To Set Up Nuidis Vulko’s Death?
We know from the first Aquaman that Willem Dafoe’s Nuidis Vulko was never on the side of King Orm, played by Patrick Wilson, and he secretly trained Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry to put an end to Orm’s evil plans. That process made Vulko a mentor to him and a close ally in the sea.
Interestingly, Black Manta’s threat of destroying Aquaman and everyone he loves might not be empty after all. In the teaser, the character can be seen saying,
“I’m gonna kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear.”
Momoa’s Aquaman, set things in motion when he let David Kane aka Black Manta’s father die in the submarine. The theory suggests that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom could set up Vulko’s death at the hands of Manta who is looking to avenge his father. He can also be seen wielding the ancient black trident which is expected to make him a formidable foe in the upcoming film.
James Wan’s Take On Nuidis Vulko’s Rumored Death
Earlier reports stated that James Wan had to pivot the storyline a couple of times as the DC leadership was in shambles. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom went for lengthy reshoots to set the tone according to how James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairs wanted.
Wan said that he established more screen presence for Nicole Kidman’s Atlanta, who we will see become Aquaman’s advisor now that Vulko isn’t there.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Wan said –
“Willem is not in this one, no. Part of the reason was because his schedule did not work out for us. But what that allowed me to do was expand on Atlanna’s role. Atlanna in this one ultimately becomes Arthur’s advisor. She helps him better understand the world and the politics of how things work.”
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is expected to set up a camaraderie between Momoa’s titular hero and Wilson’s Orm, as they team up to take on Black Manta.
The film is set to release on December 20, 2023.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
