During an appearance at Atlanta’s Walker Stalker convention this past weekend, actor Jason Momoa reportedly spoke about his newly confirmed role as Aquaman in the expanding DC Comics cinematic universe.
According to Comicbook.com, Momoa explained the secrecy surrounding the role, telling fans, “Listen, I was asked to play it. You know, you audition and stuff like that, but the fact is you’ve just got to keep it quiet… I was just trying to respect Warner Bros. and everyone’s wishes. I’m really, really happy that I don’t have to be quiet anymore, because that’s really hard for me.”
On the subject of his rumored appearance in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Momoa demurred, “I really wish I could say something, but I don’t even know… I found out some of the characters that are in ‘Justice League’ that are casted that I didn’t know. So you found out when I found out. And that stuff is pretty tight-lipped so I don’t have anything to give.”
He reportedly added that the solo “Aquaman” pic, announced at Warner Bros.’ investors meeting last week, is likely to shoot in 2016 or 2017, though he doesn’t know much more.
“I don’t know the director. I know about as much as you guys know,” he said. “I know the ‘Justice League’ will come first. That’s really what we’re going to focus on. I’m not sure if it will be [set] prior to ‘Justice League’ or post. I don’t know too much about it. It will probably be where he came from. It will probably be his whole origin story I would think… I know we’re going to do ‘Justice League’ first.”
Momoa’s comments appear to confirm that Aquaman will be a part of the first “Justice League” film, to be directed by Zack Snyder and released in 2017, though Warner Bros. has only officially confirmed the involvement of Henry Cavill’s Superman, Ben Affleck’s Batman, and Amy Adams’ Lois Lane thus far.
“It’s cool be a part of DC’s universe. I’m really excited to be with Warner Bros., and hopefully everyone likes it. And Zack Snyder’s a genius, so I’m really excited to be hanging out with him,” Momoa added, speculating on the potential storyline of the hotly anticipated superhero team-up. “I don’t think there will be a romance any time soon in ‘Justice League.’ I think we’re going to be kicking some ass. But I don’t know for sure, because there’s no script yet.”
While Aquaman has long been disparaged by some comics fans (some of whom probably had their hearts set on seeing Vincent Chase in the role), Snyder is clearly a supporter of the hero, recently calling into a Detroit radio show to defend the character after the hosts questioned his rumored involvement in “Dawn of Justice,” pointing out, “he’s super strong… he has the potential to be bad ass.”
Perhaps spurred by fervent fan interest in Momoa’s rising star, the actor’s audition tape for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” resurfaced today. In it, Momoa can be seen performing a traditional Maori haka dance — easily demonstrating the intensity and aggression that became a hallmark of his performance as Khal Drogo — an intensity that will likely translate to his role as the King of Atlantis.
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” will hit theaters on March 25, 2016.
