After several delays due to post-production issues and COVID-19, the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is all set to release later this year. The idea was first pitched by actor Jason Momoa during the production of the first film and it took 5 years to finally create the sequel. However, it is once again facing a major setback.
Since mid-2022, the film has been through three reshoots due to negative reviews from the audience after test screenings. The film has crossed its original budget by a significant amount and now, another test screening has failed. The film is allegedly so terrible that viewers reportedly walked out of free test screenings. The film was initially a part of DCEU but James Gunn has made changes in the film so it fits in with his new DCU.
People are walking out of free screenings of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Film critic Grace Randolph recently revealed that people are walking out of free screenings of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Over the past year, multiple test screenings took place, and not a single one generated positive reviews from the audience.
Due to bad reviews, the film has been reshot thrice now. Once again, the test screening has failed and this proves that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is about to be another major DC Studios flop. The budget of the film has already crossed $200 million and another reshoot will further increase that number.
This information was confirmed by another well-known source on Twitter and fans quickly reacted to the news. However, many people also claim that Randolph is not a reliable source.
The film’s production began in 2021 and in 2022, Warner Bros. hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to become co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios. So naturally, they had to make suitable changes in the film so it perfectly fits in with their DCU.
Amber Heard returned as Mera
One of the major setbacks that arose during production was actress Amber Heard‘s highly publicized court battle with her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Many petitions were made to have Heard fired from the franchise and at one point there were rumors that the studio was planning to remove her, but that wasn’t because of her court battle.
DC Studios president Walter Hamada confirmed that they were planning to remove Heard due to concerns over Heard’s lack of chemistry with the star of the movie, Jason Momoa. In the end, Heard secured her place in the film. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is all set to hit the theatres on 20th December 2023, so James Gunn still has time to do something to save the movie.
Source: Twitter/X
