Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is going to be Jason Momoa’s second solo outing as the titular superhero. As per reports from various insiders, the film is currently being screened to test audiences, but there’s apparently no good news coming out of those showings. Due to this, many are claiming that the film is going to sink at the box office. Insiders are already speculating if Jason Momoa wants to leave the Aquaman franchise behind and embrace the character of Lobo in the new DCU because he knows how bad the movie is.
Insider Reports On Aquaman 2 Test Screenings
The first Aquaman film grossed over a billion dollars at the box office and was loved all over the world for its flashy CGI and slick action sequences. The sequel will be hoping to recreate the same magic. But if industry experts are to be believed then the movie has a rough climb ahead. This is because the film isn’t getting a positive reception from test audiences. The Twitter account Vieweranon, a trusted industry insider, first reported on the DCEUleaks subreddit that Aquaman 2 was not liked during its test screenings.
The news caught on like wildfire and began circulating on Twitter as well. Then insider Big Screen Leaks backed up the claims made by Vieweranon. The industry expert said:
“There’s a reason I’ve been avoiding any questions about AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM but since @ViewerAnon put it out there, It brings me no joy to back him up and tell you that test screenings for this film have not been good. Really hoping Wan fixes this movie before December.”
Now, Jeff Sneider, a trusted reporter, and critic is backing up all these claims too. He said that the movie is terrible and Momoa wants to play Lobo going forward due to this. He tweeted,
“I hear it’s terrible and that’s why Momoa is gonna be Lobo going forward. But they can’t say that yet because then it would be a lame duck… and DC is hoping to wring another billion out of the box office. First one was awful too, so not a huge surprise.”
The subpar test audience reports for Aquaman 2 are surprising. However, if these turn out to be true, then Momoa planning to jump ship and instead play Lobo makes sense. But the question is- will he actually get to play the intergalactic bounty hunter?
Will Jason Momoa Play Lobo In DCU?
During the press meet for the DCU slate, DC Studios CEOs elaborated on the rumor that Jason Momoa is going to play both Aquaman and Lobo in the new DC universe. James Gunn outright said that the Aquaman actor wasn’t going to play two characters. He said:
“Jason will not play two characters despite what you guys might think.”
Peter Safran jumped on to backup Gunn and said that even though Momoa loves Lobo, he isn’t going to play two characters. As per him:
“It’s too early. Listen, he definitely… Jason always thought Aquaman was a trilogy, in his own mind. But listen, he loves Lobo. He’s been very clear about that, too. He’s never going to play two characters, but no decisions have been made.”
Gunn and Safran mention that Momoa can’t play two characters at the same time. But if Aquaman 2 sinks at the box office, they can bring the actor onboard to just play Lobo. It’s possible that the fate of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will decide what character Momoa will ultimately play in the DCU.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom releases on 25 December 2023.
Source: Twitter
