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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Topo Is "A Real Character in This One"

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan says that the bongo-playing octopus Topo will be "a real character this time."

The entire concept behind Aquaman has always been silly, and depending on what you are watching and what era of DC Comics you are reading, the material itself might be acknowledging that. However, just because something is a little silly doesn't mean there isn't room to take it seriously while also having some laughs. That is the line that James Wan has been walking ever since he took on Aquaman, a character that people have been making fun of for years, and turning that character into a movie star whose title film made over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. While the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, has had a bit of a rocky road to the big screen, Wan seems keen to keep walking that line of silly and taking this completely seriously. In this case, we're talking about the drumming octopus from the first film, Toto, and Wan revealed to Empire that Topo will play a bigger role this time.

"Topo is a real character in this one!" laughs Wan. "In the comic, he's a big part of Arthur's life – a sidekick, pet, friend. So, we're leaning into that."

When it comes to characters created entirely through VFX and other graphics, it can be challenging for actors to genuinely emote when all they have to work with is a golf ball indicating where they should be looking. That is one of the reasons why people like practical effects when it comes to creatures, specifically because something is usually lost in translation without something for the actor to react to. To help combat that, Wan explained, "I love the relationship Jason has built with this octopus. It was really fun to watch him 'act' with Topo. Sometimes, we would have an actor standing in by 'muppeting' a goofy stick puppet – watching Jason playoff that was so funny. I think people are going to enjoy Arthur and Topo's relationship." So there was something there for Momoa to act against, which is probably the thing that will make or break any scenes that Arthur shares with Topo. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom appears to be attempting to be several genres at once, and a drum-playing octopus plays right into that "buddy comedy" aspect that Wan has spoken about.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Summary, Cast List, Release Date

Director James Wan and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa—along with Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman—return in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father's death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time, Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman's family and the world from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman's half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother's reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis' Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father's death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

Directed by Wan, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is produced by Peter Safran, Wan, and Rob Cowan. The executive producers are Galen Vaisman and Walter Hamada. The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents An Atomic Monster / A Peter Safran Production of A James Wan Film, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, set to open in theaters internationally beginning 20 December 2023 and in North America on December 20, 2023; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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