The untold story of Jeff Nichols’ unreleased Aquaman movie is a captivating journey into the road not taken in the world of superhero cinema. In an alternate universe, the superhero landscape might have taken a darker and more intense turn, as Nichols, celebrated for his work on films like “Mud” and “Midnight Special,” was poised to helm the 2018 Aquaman film. This visionary director’s unique approach promised to bring a fresh perspective to the iconic DC superhero.
The intriguing twist in this tale stems from the 2014 Sony email hack, which revealed early discussions about Nichols potentially directing Jason Momoa in what could have been a groundbreaking Justice League spin-off. Ultimately, the directorial reins passed to James Wan, resulting in a box office triumph with a staggering $1.1 billion in earnings, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing DC film to date. Nonetheless, echoes of Nichols’ vivid and somber vision for Aquaman continue to resonate in the minds of fans.
Nichols recently revisited these unrealized plans during an engaging conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. This discussion, primarily centered on his latest project, “The Bikeriders,” starring Jodie Comer and Austin Butler, unveiled the director’s creative ambitions for Aquaman. Nichols drew inspiration from Peter David’s groundbreaking ’90s narrative, which transformed Aquaman into a somber figure marked by loss, featuring a harpoon hand, long hair, and a beard that symbolized a tragic king in mourning.
Reflecting on the unmaterialized pitch, Nichols expressed his lingering attachment to scenes from his version of Aquaman, scenes that would have taken the character in a direction vastly different from the 2018 blockbuster. He envisioned an Aquaman as a fallen king, grappling with the profound loss of his son, exploring complex and haunting past transgressions.
Nichols’ vision mirrored David’s transformation of Aquaman in the comics, where the character underwent a radical makeover, complete with a golden harpoon hand after a brutal encounter with the villain Charybdis. David introduced Koryak, Aquaman’s illegitimate son with Kako, an Inuit woman, altering not only the hero’s appearance but also his presence and aura.
David, in a 2018 interview, emphasized the gravity he wanted the new Aquaman to exude, a presence that demanded respect and evoked awe when he entered a room, a true bad-ass not to be trifled with.
Jason Momoa and James Wan are set to return this December with Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom. The film could be the final time we see Jason Momoa in the titular role now that James Gunn has stepped in and is creating his own DC Universe.
[h/t MovieWeb]
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