Jason Momoa Says WB Ignored His Ideas For AQUAMAN 2, Complains About Mystery Co-Star

Jason Momoa he’s like the real-life Aquaman, with his Hawaiian tattoos, naturally tanned skin, and jaw-dropping physique, coupled with his activism for the earth’s oceans, just makes sense. But even so, he was surprised that his Warner Bros./DC film, Aquaman (2019), did well at the box office.

In a recent interview with Men’s Health, Momoa said:

“Well, to be honest, I was absolutely baffled by it Aquaman it was received so well. I’ve done amazing things that nobody sees and nobody gives a damn about. You just don’t know it in this business. I don’t go do stuff and think, Oh, I’m going to get $1 billion on this. I go in and do my best work.

The actor went on to explain that after making the first movie, he started digging into the character and wrote a 50-page storyline for the upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the lost kingdom, with his longtime producing partner, Brian Mendoza. He says Warner Bros. bought the story outline, but used little of it in the film. He went on to complain that he loves to create, but has been underutilized, all while “some people” in his career have completely phoned him in their performances, though he doesn’t mention who:

“This is why I love directing and creating. At the end of war chief, I’m like, ‘Yeah, feel free to knock it, ridicule it. If it doesn’t fit, then we suck. It’s our fault.’ Yes. I don’t just mean, ‘I’m acting. I’ll be in my trailer.’ I love being able to burn for what I believe in. I’ve seen some of the most shocking acting performances firsthand and seen them edited, and they were amazing. I wish I could tell you who did it. I’m like, ‘What the fuck?’ I saw this guy that had to be fucking backed up. They read him jokes. But this motherfucker killed it when the change came and he was applauded for it. At that point, I was like, ‘Wow, this shit is done while editing.’”

But hopefully Momoa has a more collaborative experience at DC these days, with new co-CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn running things. Safran, who produced Aquaman and the sequel, he’s a big fan of Momoa. He said of the actor:

“What you see is what you get with Jason. I’ve worked with him for six or seven years and I keep waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. If there’s an inner asshole in him, he’s never come out. This, to me, is a surprise. . . although very pleasant.

Momoa says he’s “extremely, extremely excited” for his future in the DCEU, but won’t divulge any more secrets unless “there’s a lot of bullshit to come.”

Safran, who likely wrote the confidentiality note, adds:

“I look forward to working with Jason for many years to come. I’d be happy for him to be in Arthur Curry’s world, but if/when another opportunity arises, I’d find another great character for him to create.

The bar is high, because, as Safran says, “there are few superhero castings that are more perfect than Momoa as Aquaman.”

Aquaman and the lost kingdom will be released on December 20, 2023.