Reports have begun to emerge from the depths of the internet that the upcoming DC sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is not looking good, with ongoing test screenings reportedly going quite badly. The idea that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom could be another DC dud first started with reliable scooper ViewerAnon, who claims that the follow-up has had several test screenings and that each one has been met with bad results, with feedback stating that the movie is “boring” and possibly even “one of the worst” movies in the franchise.
“I'll be honest, we're half a dozen test screenings in and it's not looking great,” the claim reads. “I've consistently heard over the last half year or so that it's boring, not as good as the first, and potentially one of the worst DCEU movies.”
Sadly, it doesn’t stop there. Fellow scooper @bigscreenleaks has since responded with their own input, saying that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom test screenings have “not been good” and even that “something that almost never happened in test screenings happened with this movie.” Which could mean walkouts, booing, or everyone in attendance falling asleep. It’s hard to know for sure.
If that were not already enough, reporter and insider Jeff Sneider has offered his own insight, revealing that not only is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom “terrible” but that this is why Jason Momoa is all set to become Lobo in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU reboot.
Of course, this all needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt. Earlier reports regarding test screenings have claimed that things were looking positive for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, though things could have changed between then and now. There is also still some time before we sit down to watch Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in theaters, giving director James Wan and the studio plenty of time to put things right (or at least back to where they were) before the DC sequel hits the big screen at the end of this year.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is Due to Land in Theaters in December
While more specific plot details for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom continue to remain under wraps, some details of the story have been released, with the official synopsis reading; "When an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation."
Directed by James Wan from a screenplay written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldric, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will reunite several members of the cast from the first movie, including Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, Amber Heard as Mera, Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius/Ocean Master, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, Arthur's father, and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Arthur's mother and the former queen of Atlantis. The DC sequel will also add the likes of Randall Park, Vincent Regan, Jani Zhao, Pose breakout star Indya Moore, and Pilou Asbæk, with Ben Affleck reprising the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2023.