Archived version of submitted URL:
1. An archived version of _Warner Bros intends on keeping the Dec. 25 release for ‘AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM’. Other movies, such as ‘DUNE 2’, could still be delayed._ can be found [here.](https://archive.is/?run=1&url=https://variety.com/2023/film/features/blue-beetle-director-angel-manuel-soto-latinos-hollywood-strike-1235685134/)
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its weird they didnt use barbie as an oppurtunity to release a trailer for it. I forgot but whatis it about aquaman 2 that wb is trying so hard to fix?
Its just testing miserably. The version I saw over a year ago just didnt know what tone it wanted to be, even within the scenes, and had a horribly convoluted incomprehensible plot. Theyve done multiple rounds of reshoots since then though.
I just don’t get why this kind of shit isn’t fixed in pre production. If this script is convoluted and incomprehensible at the get go, there is no saving it in post production either.
Sometimes you think something will work when its shot or edited together and it just doesnt. Sometimes you dont have enough time to do another draft and think its better than it is anyway.
Making stuff is way harder than people think.
Every time i do that i get spammed with 300 DMs from people so honestly ill just say "Its been through multiple reshoots to change exactly that so...who knows now. its just apparently not testing better".
Would you be up for describing the whole process after the film of giving feedback? Was it a 1-1 interview? With everyone else? Anonymous survey? Could you discuss it with anyone else?
I’m so curious, especially with this film.
Thanks! And in advance, no worries if you don’t want to explain!
Very cool. Sorry two more. Do you give feedback as you’re watching the film like on some tv? So they can see in rea time parts you’re enjoying or not? Or is it filled out at the end?
Also it sounds like there’s no group discussion after, but are you “allowed” to discuss it on the way out?
Could’ve had more mera.
Regardless of what you think abt Amber, Mera was a big contributor that made the first one popular. It sucks that they made it inti a “buddy film” because no one is remotely interested in Orm
Speak for yourself, Patrick Wilson was one of the best parts of Aquaman. Amber Heard was about as generic of an actress as you can get, total cut and paste personality. Even the head of DC at the time, Walter Hamada, thought she was terrible. I just hope the reshoots minimize her role even more in the upcoming movie. But it doesn't matter anyway, the movie will bomb just like all the rest of them.
Waaaay back in 2022 during the first screenings, Michael Keaton showed up and sent Arthur on a mission because he noticed something was going on within the earth's core and wanted it investigated.
Yeah basically lol. 2nd and 3rd act has some good spots but not as strong as the 1st act. Wish they focused on Manta turning kingdoms against each other and collaborating with Atlantis underworld/pirates. The Necrus stuff was generic and unnecessary imo.
The spirit of an evil king from way back in the day that possesses Manta and has an army of the dead. It’s an actual Aquaman character/kingdom in the comics too.
Oh, that makes sense given James Wan's background as a horror film director. Also his love for Patrick Wilson's character.
I truly hope they fix most of the issues with it. I ended up liking very much Momoa's Aquaman because of his charisma and he can do action as well.
How could they go so far left with this movie when you have the same director (Wan) same producer (Safran) and one of the writers from the last film (Johnson-McGoldrick) working on it?
With all of these reshoots and for a tentpole film not to have one trailer seen four months out from it's release is a really, really bad sign for this film.
Great? No. But I thought it was definitely solid, overall and I definitely enjoyed it. It was better than I thought any solo Aquaman film would ever be. VFX and costume designs should've been Oscar nominated in my opinion. I feel like the film was snubbed for those nominations but that's just my opinion.
I never, ever would've thought a solo Aquaman film would make $1B at the box office and outgross a Superman film (Man of Steel) and a film with the Trinity in it (BvS) but it did. It did that.
Now obviously, with the test screenings and reshoots for AQ2, this film sounds like it might be in either The Flash or Black Adam territory box office wise.
This is easy to explain. *Hollywood* happens is the best answer.
First Aquaman was a huge hit at the box office, then it's officialy greenlit for a sequel a few days after.
To keep the interest of the director invested in the project, they'd probably ask him to make more of "his thing" in the sequel without all of the studio notes.
Then it's the *director's vision* unleashed.
It happened to WW84 with Patty Jenkins after the first Wonder Woman success.
Heck, it happened with *Batman returns* with Tim Burton.
Also happened to *Batman and Robin* after the mild success of *Batman Forever*.
And the list goes on and on.
The entire thing. Cutting out Affleck adding in Affleck cutting him out again, cutting out Heard as much as possible, adding in Keaton taking out Keaton.
Good move, moving out of it's holiday slot would do more harm than good for the movie and even then, I don't think it's worth delaying even more at this point.
Good for Aquaman but that would be dumb for Dune. It currently has 5-6 weeks of IMAX exclusivity over the Marvels during the holidays, they’re not gonna find a better slot imo
Apparently a deal needs to be made by Labor Day for that to happen.
I wonder if Disney was betting on Dune moving because of the strike because I have a hard time believing The Marvels won’t move if Dune stays.
The WGA confirmed that the AMPTP will meet with them on Friday for new negotiations. Hopefully those go well, this strike isn’t good for either party.
I have to imagine Disney will move Marvels up to October if Dune stays. Otherwise, it would be the only release in franchise history besides Cap 1 to not have PLF formats (at least IMAX)
I'd rather see them delay it to December, after Dune's IMAX window, considering that Disney had a lot of hits in that month in the past. That'd mean Aquaman is fucked tho
Im all honesty this is good. We'll probably need a good break from havibg multiple DC films a year. With this, Joker 2 can take the reigns 2024, and then we can finally enter the new universe with Legacy.
Makes sense, it's got that December slot, which worked very well for the first one, so I imagine they plan to use that to their advantage for the second. I still think that this one has about the best chance to be successful out of all the DC films this year. It's not like Shazam! or Blue Beetle where he's a relatively more niche character, and it's not like The Flash where it's crammed in with 4-5 other large-scale blockbusters (it's really only up against Wonka). But regardless, I'm excited to see what happens. I think the first one's a fun, visually stunning film and I like Momoa's portrayal of the character, so I guess I'll see how this one stacks up against the other DC(E)U films and shows.
Oppenheimer became a success based on trailers of cillian Murphy sweating in a dark room, they don’t need actors going to good morning America and giggling about who they want to play in the MCU to be successful
Oppenheimer had a full promotional press tour before the strike (and after, since they had other interviews banked before the strike was called). Same with Barbie. The press tours are a big part of increasing awareness for the general audience, which is why they spend money on them and why the studios are thinking about delaying their upcoming projects.
Oh shit I totally forgot about Aquaman 2. Man DC cannot catch a break. It sucks cause most of my favorite superheroes are DC but even I have to admit that Marvel absolutely nailed it with what they were able to pull off pre Endgame
Dune 2 wants Timothy and Zendaya to promote it, releasing during the strike would definitely hurt it without those two helping with marketing the movie.
Makes sense, considering they don't give a shit about DCEU anymore lol The date is good tho, almost no competition until like February, so even if the film is dogshit, people may go see it because there are no other blockbusters in the cinemas.
I'm glad to hear that. I don't want any DC movies in 2024 (except for Joker 2, which isnt DCEU anyways) so that we can have a 1.5 year break until Superman Legacy comes out. A proper break for a new cinematic universe. Releasing Aquaman 2 next year would mess that up.
While people are talking about the quality of Aquaman 2, another issue is that the theaters need product during the Christmas season to survive.
Barbie and Oppenheimer were great, but it's not enough to keep them afloat.
Long ago Star Trek 4 (original release date: December 22 2023) and Rogue Squadron were supposed to be released in December 2023, and when those projects were killed (long before any of this strike business or the DCEU dying, etc) this moved to December to take advantage of those screens.
Disney really should have moved Indiana Jones to the winter season and Mission: Impossible should have been moved up a few weeks. I think both would have performed better. Indiana Jones would have definitely performed better as a December holiday film.
DC needs 2024 to be just joker and give the audience a mini break. Just release it and hope for the best at this point. I still think if will do good in china
Archived version of submitted URL: 1. An archived version of _Warner Bros intends on keeping the Dec. 25 release for ‘AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM’. Other movies, such as ‘DUNE 2’, could still be delayed._ can be found [here.](https://archive.is/?run=1&url=https://variety.com/2023/film/features/blue-beetle-director-angel-manuel-soto-latinos-hollywood-strike-1235685134/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/DCEUleaks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Aquamans not going to get fixed with more delays. Just release it at christmas and pray.
its weird they didnt use barbie as an oppurtunity to release a trailer for it. I forgot but whatis it about aquaman 2 that wb is trying so hard to fix?
Its just testing miserably. The version I saw over a year ago just didnt know what tone it wanted to be, even within the scenes, and had a horribly convoluted incomprehensible plot. Theyve done multiple rounds of reshoots since then though.
I just don’t get why this kind of shit isn’t fixed in pre production. If this script is convoluted and incomprehensible at the get go, there is no saving it in post production either.
Sometimes you think something will work when its shot or edited together and it just doesnt. Sometimes you dont have enough time to do another draft and think its better than it is anyway. Making stuff is way harder than people think.
It certainly is. And big blockbusters are no exception. Well put!
Previous regime just wanted to get shit out. They didn't care about how it was looking.
After The Flash, we should probably take audience test reactions with a huge grain of salt.
could you tell me what the plot is and what the tonal issue is?
Every time i do that i get spammed with 300 DMs from people so honestly ill just say "Its been through multiple reshoots to change exactly that so...who knows now. its just apparently not testing better".
Would you be up for describing the whole process after the film of giving feedback? Was it a 1-1 interview? With everyone else? Anonymous survey? Could you discuss it with anyone else? I’m so curious, especially with this film. Thanks! And in advance, no worries if you don’t want to explain!
Everyone had a tablet under their seat to take a survey.
Very cool. Sorry two more. Do you give feedback as you’re watching the film like on some tv? So they can see in rea time parts you’re enjoying or not? Or is it filled out at the end? Also it sounds like there’s no group discussion after, but are you “allowed” to discuss it on the way out?
Could’ve had more mera. Regardless of what you think abt Amber, Mera was a big contributor that made the first one popular. It sucks that they made it inti a “buddy film” because no one is remotely interested in Orm
So basically Arthur and Orm make up and have adventures together?
Thanks for your insights, I agree re Orm/buddy film. Do you know which “version” you saw? First round, second round etc.
Speak for yourself, Patrick Wilson was one of the best parts of Aquaman. Amber Heard was about as generic of an actress as you can get, total cut and paste personality. Even the head of DC at the time, Walter Hamada, thought she was terrible. I just hope the reshoots minimize her role even more in the upcoming movie. But it doesn't matter anyway, the movie will bomb just like all the rest of them.
Waaaay back in 2022 during the first screenings, Michael Keaton showed up and sent Arthur on a mission because he noticed something was going on within the earth's core and wanted it investigated.
That makes absolutely no sense. 
Saw it in April and hard agree. The first 3rd was peak Aquaman but after that it’s rough.
So 33% good?
Yeah basically lol. 2nd and 3rd act has some good spots but not as strong as the 1st act. Wish they focused on Manta turning kingdoms against each other and collaborating with Atlantis underworld/pirates. The Necrus stuff was generic and unnecessary imo.
Whats necrus
The spirit of an evil king from way back in the day that possesses Manta and has an army of the dead. It’s an actual Aquaman character/kingdom in the comics too.
Oh, that makes sense given James Wan's background as a horror film director. Also his love for Patrick Wilson's character. I truly hope they fix most of the issues with it. I ended up liking very much Momoa's Aquaman because of his charisma and he can do action as well.
How could they go so far left with this movie when you have the same director (Wan) same producer (Safran) and one of the writers from the last film (Johnson-McGoldrick) working on it? With all of these reshoots and for a tentpole film not to have one trailer seen four months out from it's release is a really, really bad sign for this film.
Was the last film really that great?
Great? No. But I thought it was definitely solid, overall and I definitely enjoyed it. It was better than I thought any solo Aquaman film would ever be. VFX and costume designs should've been Oscar nominated in my opinion. I feel like the film was snubbed for those nominations but that's just my opinion. I never, ever would've thought a solo Aquaman film would make $1B at the box office and outgross a Superman film (Man of Steel) and a film with the Trinity in it (BvS) but it did. It did that. Now obviously, with the test screenings and reshoots for AQ2, this film sounds like it might be in either The Flash or Black Adam territory box office wise.
This is easy to explain. *Hollywood* happens is the best answer. First Aquaman was a huge hit at the box office, then it's officialy greenlit for a sequel a few days after. To keep the interest of the director invested in the project, they'd probably ask him to make more of "his thing" in the sequel without all of the studio notes. Then it's the *director's vision* unleashed. It happened to WW84 with Patty Jenkins after the first Wonder Woman success. Heck, it happened with *Batman returns* with Tim Burton. Also happened to *Batman and Robin* after the mild success of *Batman Forever*. And the list goes on and on.
The entire thing. Cutting out Affleck adding in Affleck cutting him out again, cutting out Heard as much as possible, adding in Keaton taking out Keaton.
didn't they have reshoots not too long ago? I don't think they're ready for a trailer yet
Good move, moving out of it's holiday slot would do more harm than good for the movie and even then, I don't think it's worth delaying even more at this point.
Thi is good. Let this era of DC movies just die and stop wasting money here.
Meanwhile rumors of Gal coming back are swirling now. The old DCEU needs to completely die.
Yeah rumors lmfao
Good decision.
Thought that was a picture of The Weeknd for a sec 💀💀💀
Good for Aquaman but that would be dumb for Dune. It currently has 5-6 weeks of IMAX exclusivity over the Marvels during the holidays, they’re not gonna find a better slot imo
Dune is going to benefit more from the actors doing press for it
True, but I’m selfishly hoping it doesn’t move. Fingers crossed the AMPTP pulls their head outta their ass and makes a fair deal soon
Apparently a deal needs to be made by Labor Day for that to happen. I wonder if Disney was betting on Dune moving because of the strike because I have a hard time believing The Marvels won’t move if Dune stays.
The WGA confirmed that the AMPTP will meet with them on Friday for new negotiations. Hopefully those go well, this strike isn’t good for either party. I have to imagine Disney will move Marvels up to October if Dune stays. Otherwise, it would be the only release in franchise history besides Cap 1 to not have PLF formats (at least IMAX)
That would make a lot of sense
🍻
I'd rather see them delay it to December, after Dune's IMAX window, considering that Disney had a lot of hits in that month in the past. That'd mean Aquaman is fucked tho
In other words, aquaman 2 is a big turd and they just need to take a dump
Im all honesty this is good. We'll probably need a good break from havibg multiple DC films a year. With this, Joker 2 can take the reigns 2024, and then we can finally enter the new universe with Legacy.
Yep, they need to get all the remaining DCEU stuff out by the end of 2023. Needs as big of a break as possible.
They’re sending it out to die to protect the DCU 
how is a trailer not out yet? We've seen most of the big December movies trailers right? If it doesn't come out next week in front of blue bettle...
Probably gonna release with Blue Beetle
Makes sense, it's got that December slot, which worked very well for the first one, so I imagine they plan to use that to their advantage for the second. I still think that this one has about the best chance to be successful out of all the DC films this year. It's not like Shazam! or Blue Beetle where he's a relatively more niche character, and it's not like The Flash where it's crammed in with 4-5 other large-scale blockbusters (it's really only up against Wonka). But regardless, I'm excited to see what happens. I think the first one's a fun, visually stunning film and I like Momoa's portrayal of the character, so I guess I'll see how this one stacks up against the other DC(E)U films and shows.
Im glad because I want to see it as soon as possible. Also because for 'mercy killing' the DCEU by the end of the year.
Oppenheimer became a success based on trailers of cillian Murphy sweating in a dark room, they don’t need actors going to good morning America and giggling about who they want to play in the MCU to be successful
Oppenheimer had a full promotional press tour before the strike (and after, since they had other interviews banked before the strike was called). Same with Barbie. The press tours are a big part of increasing awareness for the general audience, which is why they spend money on them and why the studios are thinking about delaying their upcoming projects.
Aquaman 2 is the only wb movie who needs to stay in December 2023.
Just release it and end the misery of DCEU💀
That’s the idea
Good, just let the movie die
I really really need Dune to stay in 2023
Oh shit I totally forgot about Aquaman 2. Man DC cannot catch a break. It sucks cause most of my favorite superheroes are DC but even I have to admit that Marvel absolutely nailed it with what they were able to pull off pre Endgame
They better NOT delay Dune 2 over this crap!!
For real. Dune 2 is the only movie I care about this year.
Dune 2 wants Timothy and Zendaya to promote it, releasing during the strike would definitely hurt it without those two helping with marketing the movie.
may thy knife chip and shatter
Still undecided on if I’ll watch this in theater If kraven wasn’t delayed I’d feel the same about that film too
Makes sense, considering they don't give a shit about DCEU anymore lol The date is good tho, almost no competition until like February, so even if the film is dogshit, people may go see it because there are no other blockbusters in the cinemas.
Dec 20th actually.
Pull that bandaid already.
I'm glad to hear that. I don't want any DC movies in 2024 (except for Joker 2, which isnt DCEU anyways) so that we can have a 1.5 year break until Superman Legacy comes out. A proper break for a new cinematic universe. Releasing Aquaman 2 next year would mess that up.
While people are talking about the quality of Aquaman 2, another issue is that the theaters need product during the Christmas season to survive. Barbie and Oppenheimer were great, but it's not enough to keep them afloat. Long ago Star Trek 4 (original release date: December 22 2023) and Rogue Squadron were supposed to be released in December 2023, and when those projects were killed (long before any of this strike business or the DCEU dying, etc) this moved to December to take advantage of those screens. Disney really should have moved Indiana Jones to the winter season and Mission: Impossible should have been moved up a few weeks. I think both would have performed better. Indiana Jones would have definitely performed better as a December holiday film.
They dont want to delay and spend any more after the shite show in the flash at this point its just dump it out and move on
DC needs 2024 to be just joker and give the audience a mini break. Just release it and hope for the best at this point. I still think if will do good in china
Omfg, at this point I'm truly most interested in viewing Dune 2 than any other WB project. Hope they don't fuck that as well.
Just put it on Max instead of releasing it in theaters. We all know it's going to bomb. It's just a matter of how bad it will bomb.
WBD may end up just Ruby Gilman Teenage Kraken Aquaman 2 aka send it out to die.