Posted in: Movies | Tagged: aquaman, dc, Warner Bros, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Reportedly In Early Talks To Play Black Manta In Aquaman
According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in "early talks," a phrase which here means talks that occur early in the morning, to play Black Manta in the upcoming Aquaman film starring Jason Momoa and directed by James Wan. Black Manta is a classic Aquaman villain who was created in 1967, but no one cares because it's freaking Aquaman. The dude talks to fish. That's like his whole gimmick. Black Manta is cool. We guess.
Abdul-Mateen, who THR says was offered the part yesterday, is most known for his role in Baz Lurhmann's The Get Down, and also has an upcoming role in The Baywatch Movie. In addition to filling the role of the classic Aquaman villain, Warner Bros.' may have found an in with Lurhmann, which would be good since they need a big name director for the standalone Batman movie now that Ben Affleck has flown the coop.
Aquaman is set for release in October 2018, provided the DC Cinematic Universe can keep from imploding before then. We'll get more clicks for this exact same story let you know when Abdul-Mateen officially signs on for the role.