New Aquaman details emerge, previewing an emotional fantasy adventure for the DC hero

With only a few months left until James Wan’s vision of Aquaman hits theaters, we’ve learned even more about the titular hero who has often been unappreciated.

Thanks to a number of media outlets getting a chance to sit down with director James Wan in the edit bay for the upcoming Aquaman film, DCEU fans are getting a bit more information about what they can expect to see in the film.

As ComicBook.com reported, Wan wanted to reinvigorate the character and make his public persona one that would no longer be the butt of so many jokes.

He added “sure that that aesthetic fits with the look of what Atlantis is today, or what Atlantis was back then.

"We associate so much of the cheese of the character so much with the Super Friends cartoon that we’re familiar with, and the look of it, but that’s also what really makes him cool. It was kind of like taking that idea and making sure that that aesthetic fits with the look of what Atlantis is today, or what Atlantis was back then."

Wan adds that from the very start of the movie, people’s perceptions of Aquaman will flip. As CBR.com reported, during their time with James Wan, they were able to see three different scenes from Aquaman that are sure to change viewers “perspective of Atlantean heroes.”

Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

CBR previewed an emotional part of the film, in which Arthur Curry’s mother not only meets his father, but also makes the ultimate sacrifice by being forced to give up the love of her life and her young son when she is dragged back to Atlantis. The scene is a prologue that gives audiences a chance to learn exactly what motivates Aquaman and basically shapes him into the man he becomes.

Another scene detailed by CBR is the meeting between King Orm and Aquaman. Considering both men are technically in line to rule Atlantis, with Orm leading at the moment, it makes sense that there might be some tension between the two. Fans can anticipate an arena battle that’ll really shake things up in Atlantis. Expect to see an action-packed and impactful scene as the two brothers go head to head in a confrontation that will change both their lives.

CBR had one last nugget to share — a scene in which Mera and Arthur head into the desert on a quest to track down a weapon that will help them defeat King Orm and his growing army. It is Indiana Jones meets high fantasy, and it is all amazing. (If you look back at the teasers that have already been released, all three scenes have already been touched upon. Plus Amber Heard and Jason Momoa have previewed these scenes a bit.)

Patrick Wilson as Orm/Ocean Master in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

With all three scenes, audiences are going to see something that the DCEU has been struggling with — an emotional connection. Wonder Woman offered hope for the future of the DCEU, and perhaps it will be Aquaman that proves an emotional connection is what heroes need to give their stories heart.

What will ultimately set Aquaman apart from so many other superhero movies (MCU and DCEU alike) is the fact that we are exploring a landscape that has been vastly untouched. With the story being set primarily under the water, the visuals are set to be stunning, vast, and unlike anything we have seen before in the genre.

From action to adventure, with fantasy and romance thrown in, Aquaman is beyond the usual superhero movie.

We may have to wait until December 21 to see how James Wan transforms Aquaman into the hero we all want and need, but at least we know that the director has done something fresh and unique just for the DCEU. As he explained, “when they see this film, they’re not just seeing a world of DC. They’re literally seeing a world within Aquaman itself.”