Johnson joins previously announced screenwriters Will Beall (Gangster Squad) and Kurt Johnstad (300, 300: Rise of an Empire), who were reportedly tasked with writing separate scripts for the film that would then be integrated into a single screenplay. It’s uncertain what Johnson’s role will be on the film and whether he’ll write a third screenplay to add to the mix or assist in streamlining the writing process.
The new of Johnson’s involvement was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, and the outlet indicates that Johnson earned the studio’s attention with his work on WB’s 2012 sequel Wrath of the Titans and the 2011 film Red Riding Hood.
Set to star Jason Momoa as DC Comics’ King of Atlantis, Aquaman will be directed by Furious 7 and The Conjuring filmmaker James Wan. Johnson is currently providing rewrites for Wan’s upcoming sequel The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist, so the pair already has a working relationship going into Aquaman.
A founding member of the Justice League in the DC Comics universe, Aquaman was created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger and made his debut in a 1941 issue of More Fun Comics. Although his background story has changed over the years, his history typically pegs him as the heir to the throne of Atlantis and the child of a human father and Atlantean mother. This shared DNA allows him to live both underwater and on dry land, and gives him superhuman strength out of the water (due to the undersea pressure his body is able to handle). He’s also able to telepathically communicate — and in many cases, command — aquatic creatures.
Thus far, Aquaman’s live-action, on-screen appearances have been limited to a role in the Smallville television series and the never-aired pilot for a solo series titled Mercy Reef.
Momoa is expected to make his debut as Aquaman in next year’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, then reprise the role in 2017’s Justice League: Part One before appearing in his own solo movie in 2018. He’ll then likely appear in Justice League: Part Two in 2019.
Aquaman hits theaters July 27, 2018.
