“Aquaman 2” is DOA.
The sequel to the 2018 hit made $4.5 million last night in previews. That’s 73% lower than the last Warner’s DC movie “The Flash,” which was considered a major flop.
With under 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Aquaman 2” signals the end of this era of DC movies. They are indeed over.
The reviews are devastating. One of them suggested the James Wan movie was never finished. Another reported that Aquaman — played by Jason Momoa — has things done to him that are either comical or unintentional.
“Aquaman 2” concludes a trilogy of DOA DC Comics films including “Shazam 2” and “The Flash.” And this one didn’t even have a star who offended the public. In the first case, Zachary Levi had said some things that sounded, shall we say, not progressive. He turned off a big segment of the public. In the latter, of course, Ezra Miller’s legal troubles made it impossible for him to do publicity.
Momoa is very likable and did nothing wrong. But his co-star in the movie, Amber Heard, is so radioactive after her Johnny Depp divorce and lawsuits that the studio kept her away from the movie’s non-premiere this week in Los Angeles. And Warner’s knew they were in trouble, making sure reviewers didn’t the film until two days ago.
And so it goes. Warner’s has hits with “Wonka” and hopefully “The Color Purple.” “Barbie” has kept them in the pink for most of 2023. You can’t win them all!
