Fans of DC’s Justice League got their first glimpse of Aquaman in action in Batman V Superman, but we’re entering a whole new world with the new footage released as part of an Aquaman effects reel being screened for Zack Snyder personally. Where the BvS scene centered on actor Jason Momoa holding his breath and approaching a camera for a placeholder cameo, the new VFX footage follows him in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, giving comic book fans their first glimpse at the aquatic landscapes he’ll be exploring in his solo film - and apparently, in Justice League beforehand.
The images and short clip come courtesy of a visual effects screening held today - not a test screening, simply a screening of the visual effects centered on Aquaman (at least). The footage in question may be mistaken as Arthur Curry swimming up towards an occupied throne, but the comic book die hards know that throne should probable be empty… since it’s his throne to claim. But taking a closer look, it resembles a scene we’ve been expecting to see teased as part of his own journey towards the Justice League team-up. Not to mention secrets and questions for his sole movie to answer.
The statues surrounding this scene hint that the king before him isn’t alive, but another monument - one that happens to be wearing the armor Aquaman sports later in the film (the gold plating seen in other marketing images and footage). Looking closer at Arthur Curry himself - and past what seems to be Snyder taking some video for himself - we can see him sporting a pair of black pants. Most likely the same black pants he wears in the unforgettable Justice League trailer shot as he walks out onto a large pier, surrounded by raging water, and downing a bottle of alcohol. It now seems we all know exactly where he’s headed. And judging by the water’s reaction, it’s anticipating the same (as only water in a Zack Snyder film can).
Working on my birthday ? pic.twitter.com/tLidlUrcyn— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) March 2, 2017
???OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#AQUAMAN VFX Test Footage!!! ?VERO pic.twitter.com/w9kmXG5vqh— Ken Pejoro (@Powerless_ness) March 1, 2017
The shot being screened appears to be a preliminary look at near-final effects judging by the title card that follows it. With the vendor listed as Scanline VFX, an effects studio most certainly at work on Justice League’s post production, the footage is as legitimate as it gets. Which is good news to fans, since it shows the pursuit of the underwater action Aquaman is famous for is well under way. Assuming that Zack Snyder will be setting the bar for what’s expected in the Aquaman movie, this approach could be as influential as his own pitch to Jason Momoa years ago.
It may be just a few seconds to work with, but how does this first look at the underwater Aquaman seem to you? To the DC fans, does it seem like a faithful adaptation of the spirit and scale of the King of Atlantis? And to those more than a little skeptical that an underwater hero can even work on the big screen, does this footage calm, or validate your suspicions? Let us know in the comments, and cross your fingers that more details surrounding the effects-heavy sequence of Justice League to arrive in the near future.
Source: Zack Snyder, Twitter
- Justice League Release Date: 2017-11-17 Aquaman Release Date: 2018-12-21 wonder woman Release Date: 2017-06-02
