Aquaman 2 gets disappointing update as two major cameos have been cut

Just as we saw with The Flash, it appears DC has made the disappointing decision to cut a few key cameos from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Unveiling the cloak of mystery shrouding Warner Bros.’s ambitious project Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, the recent round of reshoots and test screenings have painted a captivating narrative behind the scenes.

The sequel stands at the crossroads of cinematic creativity and business strategy, its fate dictated by the waves of reshoots, intensive test screenings, and shifting release dates. From the greenlit under the regime of former film bosses Toby Emmerich and Walter Hamada to its voyage through a post-merger environment, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom has navigated a sea of transitions. The film has weathered three rounds of reshoots, an unprecedented feat for a production of this scale, and yet the reshaping continues unabated.

While James Wan’s sequel to the $1 billion hit Aquaman is shaping up under the studio’s meticulous gaze, it appears two key cameos have now been cut from the final edit of the film:  Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck.

Aquaman 2 cuts two Batmen cameos (rumor)

Perhaps the most shocking twist to this saga is new reports that reveal two major cameos have been cut. Initially, Hamada envisioned Michael Keaton’s Batman to become a figure akin to Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury – an elder statesman who pops up in various films. This vision even included Batgirl, which is no longer on the table, and The Lost Kingdom. However, the shifting release dates caused this plan to be disrupted. Consequently, Ben Affleck joined a round of reshoots as Bruce Wayne, replacing a scene that Keaton had shot.

Yet, the cinematic chessboard rearranged once again when the release date was moved, pushing Affleck’s appearance into uncertainty. The latest cut features no trace of the Dark Knight, a decision seemingly influenced by new DC heads James Gunn and Peter Safran’s caution against making unfounded promises about the future of the DC Universe. As much as it pains me that Affleck’s Batman won’t be seen in the sequel, I have to admit I respect their decision and agree with their commitment.

The Lost Kingdom sails towards its December release against the backdrop of recent flops in Warners’ DC movie lineup, adding pressure to deliver a resounding success. The studio and filmmakers are acutely aware of the potential impact of post-production, as exemplified by the first Aquaman film that found its footing only during this stage.

Despite the turbulent journey, director James Wan remains optimistic about the project. His vision for a fun, action-fantasy movie with an underlying message about climate change holds the promise of a compelling narrative that could mark a successful close to the DC Extended Universe era.