In an ideal world, the sequel to the highest-grossing film in the DC Extended Universe should be generating plenty of hype following its trailer release. However, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom continue to be marred by controversies or underwhelming updates in one way or another.
The movie, which is scheduled to hit the theaters on December 20th, will become the first major project featuring Heard following a defamation trial involving her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Many dedicated fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean star have been demanding DC Studios cut ties with Heard, who played the pivotal character of Mera in Aquaman (2018).
As the brief appearance in the trailer suggested, Mera will be returning to join hands with Arthur Curry. Instead, it’s another major character that isn’t going to be part of the battle in the city of Atlantis this time.
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Why Willem Dafoe Passed on the Opportunity to Join Aquaman 2
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will see the return of Black Manta, who’s more powerful and driven than ever to avenge his father’s death. To stop Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s character from destroying the city of Atlantis with the power of the mythic Black Trident, Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry will be forced to join hands with his once power-hungry brother, Orm, the former King of Atlantis.
Apart from major characters, the likes of Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison, and Patrick Wilson are also set to return to witness the King of Atlantis in all his Atlantean glory to defend his kingdom. However, one character, who was alongside him in the fight against Orm and his vast army in Aquaman, won’t be making an appearance in the sequel.
Willem Dafoe, who played Nuidis Vulko, Arthur Curry’s mentor and scientific advisor isn’t going to be part of the final installment of the DC Extended Universe.
According to director James Wan, the American Psycho actor couldn’t commit to Aquaman 2 due to a scheduling conflict. Speaking exclusively 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.”
The movie might be attracting negative reactions from many fans due to the involvement of Amber Heard, and there’s a good chance that in the event it bombs at the box office, many experts will blame Heard’s involvement as one of the reasons for the same. However, as far as Dafoe’s absence from the project is concerned, it has nothing to do with the actress, as Wan’s comments suggest.
Who Will Become Arthur Curry’s Advisor in Aquaman 2 in Willem Dafoe’s Absence
Heard’s screen time wasn’t just limited in the trailer. Wan recently indicated Mera won’t be as influential in the upcoming battle in Atlantis as she was in the original film, as the sequel is going to focus on Arthur and Orm’s relationship.
“The first was a romance action-adventure movie, the second one is a bromance action-adventure movie,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
Mera’s water manipulation powers won’t be needed much in Aquaman 2, but another actress will see her role expanded due to Dafoe’s absence.
Nicole Kidman, who portrays Atlanna, will become Arthur’s advisor, helping him better understand the world and the politics of how things work.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
