Nicole Kidman & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Are Up For Aquaman

The Warner/DC universe has been having a few difficulties, with The Flash losing its director and getting a total rewrite, Ben Affleck deciding not to helm The Batman (and some saying he’d like to stop being the Caped Crusader entirely), and rumours that Wonder Woman is a mess. However, with Justice League set for November 2017 and Aquaman heading into theatres just under a year later (The Flash is supposed to come between them, but its release date is currently up in the air), it’s full-steam-ahead on the film about Jason Momoa’s watery superhero.

The cast has just grown, with THR reporting that Nicole Kidman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II are both in talks to join Aquaman. Nothing’s been signed yet, but Abdul-Mateen (The Get Down) is being eyed to play the villainous Black Manta. Kidman meanwhile would be Aquaman’s mother, Atlanna.

There have been various versions and backstories for Black Manta, but usually he originated on the land, before ending up with enhanced powers and a suit of armour that makes him almost invulnerable, and also allows him to be as comfortable in the oceans as he is on land. He has long been Aquaman’s arch-enemy. Atlanna meanwhile is a Queen/Princess of Atlanta, who fell for a human and got pregnant with the child who would later become Aquaman.

The movie is due to start shooting in Australia in April, with James Wan directing. Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe and Patrick Wilson will also star.