This morning, the good (and, more importantly, extremely reliable) people at Latino Review published a report which claims that when Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of DC Comics’ Justice League superhero team hits theaters in the Summer of 2015, the film will be primarily populated by a mere five of DC’s classic heroes. Those who made the cut are, in no particular order: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and The Green Lantern.
Surprising? Not really. Those five are undoubtedly DC’s most popular heroes, and if the Justice League roster were to be expanded you’d next need to include characters like Hawkman, the Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman. Latino Review believes its possible that these three might appear in the film in either cameo or supporting roles, but beyond winking in the direction of his existence in DC canon, does anyone have any desire to see Aquaman on the silver screen? Hawkman and the Martian Manhunter are little-known to people outside of comic book readers, but Aquaman is notable thanks to his role in the Superfriends cartoon from the 1970s. Even at that time though kids always opted to look up to Superman and Batman, and we doubt anyone grew especially fond of the blonde guy who fights crime by discussing it with nearby trout.
Granted, Aquaman is more notable than Hawkman and as Latino Review points out, it’s more likely that we’ll see the former in a cameo. Then, if the Justice League film is a success – and Warner Bros. seems to be doing everything in its power to ensure this – it’s much more likely that Aquaman and any other lesser heroes would have prominent appearances in the inevitable sequel.
We’re still waiting to hear who might be cast for the Justice League movie adaptation, and we still require an official release date for the flick. Expect us to bring you all of that information as soon as Warner Bros. makes it known to the public. In the meantime, feel free to express your hatred of Aquaman in the comments below. We’re convinced that the man must permanently reek of brine and rotted aquatic life, so that’s a nice, productive place to start.
As the first commenter, I’d like to say Aquaman is my favourite superhero. And I’m not just disappointed selfishly. This could’ve FINALLY replaced his hokey reputation in Superfriends with the respect he deserves. I’m not going to rage about everything that makes him a valuable and cool superhero, because that’s not my point. Aquaman needs Hollywood or his fans will be bullied for all eternity.
Aquaman is fantastic and I get really sick of all the hate from people who don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Watching a Saturday morning cartoon 35 years ago does not make you qualified to discuss the character’s merits. AT. ALL.
“Qualified”? Take your comics a little too seriously, do you? I thought people who got this wound up about celebrities were messed up, but my GAWD, at least they’re real people! It’s times like these I wish they could put perspective in a pill. Get help, and get it quickly.
On topic, it would be cool to see what could be done with Aquaman if someone were to actually try, and I think we will. There is no way Justice League films will end with this one. Even if it’s awful, someone else will try again with a franchise this powerful. Eventually, we will have our 90-foot Aquaman. You had to know he wouldn’t be prominent right off; let’s just hope that whoever does tackle his story does a good job.
Dude, I have perspective but I also have my likes and dislikes like everyone else. You like sports? Wonderful. Now there’s some fans who need some perspective.
Why should I know Aquaman wouldn’t be prominent right off? He’s certainly been prominent in comic books for 60+ years, and in every continuity he’s been a founding member of the Justice League. In most every cartoon series he’s been there. The only difference here is movies are usually turned over to people who fail to realize what made the property popular enough to turn into a movie in the first place.
Does anyone have a desire to see Aquaman on the big screen? Yes, his fans, of which there are many and of which I have been one for decades. This news was quite disappointing.
With all due respect, I’d say it’s important to do a little deeper research on your subject as a journalist. On Super Friends, Aquaman was an equal member of the team, and none of the heroes were portrayed as powerful as they were in the comics (for example, since the network would not allow any punches to be thrown, Superman’s role mostly consisted of lifting heavy things). The perception of Aquaman as “lame” primarily comes from the jokes of stand-up comedians and shows like “Family Guy” trying to wring comedy out of this perceived weakness. The jokes might be funnier if they actually reflected the character as written, but they don’t.
Aquaman doesn’t talk to fish/sea creatures at all; he alters their actions to his commands, which basically means he has every living thing in 70% of the world at his beck and call. His strength is monumental (being able to lift and throw multiple tons) and his speed and agility are high above elite human levels. He can see in pitch dark, his hearing is acute and his mind is able to telepathically shut down the consciousness of others if he so chooses. And that’s not even the full extent of his powers. But the key aspect, and the thing that people so often forget, is that Aquaman can operate just as well on land as in the water. In fact, without the resistance of water to contend with, his strength, speed, agility and stamina are that much more impressive.
Over his 72-year history, Aquaman has starred in tales of political intrigue, family drama, natural disaster, and environmental crises. Even if he doesn’t make a cameo in the Justice League film, he remains a fascinating character well-deserving of a full-length film. And looking over the comments, I’d say there are many people who agree with me.
Aquaman does much more than talk to fish – he’s second only to Superman in strength and invulnerability. He was also on a show you may have heard of – Smallville? So was Hawkman and Martian Manhunter, btw. I think that one was on for a while, like 10 years? I’m sure SOMEone remembers them.
How do you know he is second to Superman?
Because it’s been mentioned before – the pressure of the ocean where the Atlantians (Atlantans?) live has given them enhanced strength and toughness. He’s just shy of bulletproof and at least as strong as anyone NOT Superman. In the current issue of Justice League he knocks Supes out of frame, and his brother Oceanmaster throws Wonder Woman like she’s a paper doll. I suppose different incarnations/writers may increase or decrease his powerset a bit, but it always felt to me that the original idea for him was the Superman of the sea. And yes, I’m a huge geek.
Wow, cool. I didn’t know that. But I imagine they are only this strong in the water right?
Oh, no. In the first issue of the New 52 that DC started last year or so, one of the very first things he does is pick up an armored car to stop a robbery. And he even mentions, hey, people forget I’m really strong.
Wow, might have to pick it up. Thanks man!
Sure. Grab the first trade, it should be out by now. It’s completely worth it. Johns is doing an amazing job.
“Atlanteans”. And I will agree with this. In most or all of his comic book versions, Aquaman is the bomb.
Ummm, no. Strength-wise, it’s either Wonde Woman or Martian Manhunter. Aquaman wasn’t ever written as in their league. Even his newest incarnation doesn’t suggest his being second to Superman. Plus, if you go by raw power, rather than physical strength, he then falls behind both Flash and Green Lantern. He’s basically more powerful than Batman.
What Aquaman NEEDS is his own movie. Seriously. He’s the King of The Seven Seas. A quick glance at his bio and his history will show why he would make a good stand-alone film. (Confidentially, I feel the same about Namor the Sub-Mariner…)
Earnest Cavalli can suck it.
(My first post was lost, so here’s my 2nd attempt). I’ve been an Aquaman fan since the 1967 cartoon series “Well Tadpole, Let’s Head for Home”. Sadly, DC has not always given the King of the Seven Seas, his just due over the years. But the New 52 is making up for it. “I don’t talk to fish” and that scene where he calls an army Great White sharks jumping hundreds of feet out of the ocean to take out an army of Bad Guys (Awesome!). I’m fine waiting for Aquaman to join the League in the 2nd film, provided they backstory him like the New 52.
This is the most IGNORANT thing I’ve read about the character in a while. The character isn’t limited it is the people who don’t understand the character that are. Aquaman is just as valid as any other superhero. He’s not your favorite? No ones asking him to be. But the world is mainly covered in water, in terms of the creation of superhero’s it is not AT ALL ridiculous to see why a character with these abilities came to be, and for a Surfer like myself, I would find his abilities more than useful. The joke isn’t Aquaman, it’s the stupid “Aquaman’s lame” joke… Read some books!
There was an Aquaman movie about 7-8 years ago. James Cameron directed and Vincent Chase played Aquaman. It made 114+ million opening weekend. But Chase got a big head, so the studio dumped him. Jake Gyllenhaal was the lead in Aquaman 2. I can’t believe no one remembers this.
LOL, dude that was a farce! Movie never happened. It was a FAKE movie as part of the HBO show “Entourage”. Scroll down to Entourage, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman_in_popular_media
I for one have absolutely no desire to see Hawkman, Martian Manhunter or Aquaman in the Justice League movie. I can’t imagine that characters resonating with anyone who isn’t a fan of the books. And, personally, I have no idea why they got to that popular anyhow.
Rather than assemble a bunch of aliens who just happen to fight to save the earth, (Manhunter, Hawkman, Superman, Wonderwoman, etc.) they should bring in characters like Vixen, The Question, Captain Marvel/Atom.
Those are way more interesting characters and I think they would go over way better.
an aquaman movie would help to explain his character hes actually a real cool superhero unlike any in marvel or dc
This sucks. Was never a huge fan of Aquaman, have always been incredibly partial to Flash… I have a proclivity to speed. But regardless, the scenes they could have put together from a water-based perspective alone would have been phenomenal cinematography. Unfortunately, this is probably a financial decision. Water-based filing and scenes cost a lot more to make as evidenced by one of the largest big-budget flops of all time, Waterworld, with Kevin Costner. Further, they are missing out on remaking him from a character that is a little less appreciated and portrayed as cheesy in the cartoons, into a potential spinoff as king of the seas.
Hey Hollywood, look whose not on the cover of the original JL…http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/Brave_bold_28.jpg that’s right it’s Superman and Batman. It is incredibly arrogant of anyone making a JLA movie to exclude Aquaman. I call Shenanigans!
I first read and loved DC comics back as a little kid around 1960 or 1961. I NEVER was a Marvel fan. That said, DC had some of the lamest heroes- J’onn J’onz and Kater Hol were 2 of the least appealing. Aquaman was “eh”, and close behind, as far as I was concerned (except for a 3 or 4 issue stint Neal Adams did in the 70′s). The only way these guys could be made really interesting and distinctive would be if Alan Moore decided to forgive DC (not likely, sadly) and come up with his take on them.
Now if they did a LEGION movie…those were my kind of heroes! Chameleon Boy and Proty! Mon-El! Braniac 5!!! Phantom Girl! And Saturn Girl- sigh…
YES PUT AQUAMAN IN PLEASE
As with any DC superhero, whether it works or not depends on how it’s done. Dark Knight worked so well because the characters were believable, but most of DC’s heroes are not rooted in science fiction like Marvel’s, but rather fantasy. If Wonder Woman is done in the same fashion that Thor was, it would be a hit; if she’s done the way Superman Returns was, …… ew. I saw the unaired pilot for the Aquaman TV series online, and it was pretty good. If someone like Christopher Nolan is overseeing everything, even Plasticman could work. Put the guys who made Batman and Robin in charge, and it’s dead before it even hits the screen. Personally, I’d like a fresh take on Aquaman. For all the bad rap he gets, what kid in the swimming pool growing up didn’t pretend to be Aquaman?
green arrow…thats who they need
I’m just disappointed that Martian Manhunter missed the cut.
how about that aquaman tv series pilot that never went anywhere? everyone had good things to say about it until IGN got their hands on it, and then everyone hates it. what did you guys think?