Jason Momoa’s time at DC Studios isn’t done, but Aquaman might be swapped for fan-favorite character Lobo. But Momoa works better as the DCU’s Arthur.
With the changes behind the scenes at DC Studios, one former member of the Justice League is still very excited about his future. Jason Momoa is expected to be stepping into the role of Lobo in the new DC Universe, but James Gunn shouldn’t give up on him as Aquaman just yet.
For the public, there is still at least one more outing with Momoa as Arthur Curry when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debuts in Dec. 2023. He may also turn up in The Flash, in theaters a few months earlier. However, with the new direction for the DCU, all those versions of the characters will be retired (until it’s time to adapt Crisis on Infinite Earths). If Momoa is playing Lobo, and the character is a success, it’s arguably because of Arthur Curry and the goodwill fans have for him. Anyone who has to follow Momoa as the character has an impossible task before him. But, based on a video posted to social media, Momoa made it clear that it’s a new beginning for him at DC Studios.
Jason Momoa Rehabilitated DC Comics’ Biggest Joke Character
Loyal readers of the comics throughout the modern age know that Aquaman and his attendant characters aren’t inherently dumb or weak. He does still wear a scaly orange jumper and talks to fish. But Momoa brought more to the role. His looks are intimidating. His wordless underwater cameo in Batman v. Superman would be legitimately disturbing if the glowering fish-man weren’t so fit. Momoa looks like a Spartan who stepped off the 300 set with muscle-enhancement lighting intact. Everything about Momoa in the role, from costume design to performance, pleasantly surprised fans.
Whoever gets to rule the Seven Seas after Momoa will likely find that he’s left an indelible cinematic imprint on the character. Christopher Reeve’s Superman defined the heroic character for all future interpretations. A one-two punch of Michael Keaton and Kevin Conroy did the same for Batman with modern audiences. Jason Momoa brought a coolness to Aquaman that any future casting will surely lean into.
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If Jason Momoa’s Lobo Works in the DCU, It’ll Be Because of Aquaman
While Lobo is a fan-favorite for comic fans of a certain age (a range that includes Momoa), modern comics and casual audiences may be less enamored with the character. Everyone knows Aquaman and knowing that Jason Momoa played him made people curious about a character they may not have cared about before. If casual audiences show up for Lobo, it’s on the strength of Momoa’s name alone and the goodwill he created among DC movie fans with Aquaman. Jason Momoa may be the only actor who can bring Lobo to life properly, but Aquaman was the DC character who made Momoa a force of nature in Hollywood.
Momoa as Lobo is what fans expect, and Zack Snyder never really cared about giving the audience that, for better or worse. Yet, for all the discourse around his take on Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, no one can disagree that he cracked the Aquaman code. James Wan picked up the baton and took DC’s joke character and made him the studio’s only billion-dollar baby.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debuts in theaters Dec. 25, 2023.
