As the DC Comics movie adaptation swims toward production, Aquaman casting updates are breaking left and right. On the heels of the new of The Get Down‘s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II up for the villainous Black Manta role, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Nicole Kidman has entered talks to play Aquaman’s mother, Atlanna. Both stars would join a lineup that currently includes Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson and Willem Dafoe.
Aquaman is set to feature the return of Momoa in the title role. Aquaman made a brief debut as the title character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He’s expected to play a much larger role in the forthcoming Justice League, set to hit theaters November 17, 2017. The Zack Snyder film is also expected to introduce Heard as Mera, Queen of Atlantis.
While the character’s origins have shifted a bit over the years Atlanna made her comic book debut in a flashback tale in 1959’s Adventure Comics #260. Initially, Atlanna — an Atlantean who fell in love with a human, Tom Curry — was depicted as having died before Aquaman came into prominence as a hero. In the modern New 52 continuity, however, Atlanna is a significantly more prominent character and faked her death in an effort to escape Atlantis’ oppressive rule.
Aquaman is expected to begin shooting in April.
Next up in the big screen DC Comics universe is director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman. Look for it to hit theaters on June 2, 2017.
