When James Wan’s Aquaman hits theaters in December, it’ll be just over one year since 2017’s Justice League. However, if fans are hoping the quests of Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry will turn the tides for the divisive DCEU, the early reactions to test screenings might not leave them entirely optimistic.
Held in Los Angeles recently, it seems the response to Aquaman is lukewarm, with the general consensus deeming the film good, but not great. This, of course, would be disappointing for those hoping it would be the start of a new era with Shazam! and the Wonder Woman sequel.
I hear it’s good (not great) and that’s all we can hope for in the end. I’ll take it. pic.twitter.com/abrW3fEOgr
— Christopher Marc (@_ChristopherM) August 24, 2018
#Aquaman is a phase 1 MCU film through and through, so if you liked those you’ll love it, if you didn’t you probably won’t get much enjoyment out of Aquaman pic.twitter.com/ydH7XT1GK4
— KC Walsh (@TheComixKid) August 24, 2018
Guess which upcoming superhero movie test screened last night in the San Fernando Valley? Heard good things…. pic.twitter.com/3MMxcCHPaj
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) August 24, 2018
RELATED: Warner Bros. Shifts Aquaman Release Date In Some Countries
These early reactions should be taken with a grain of sea salt, as test screenings are far from the final product. Nevertheless, fans were surely hoping for a more rousing reaction to the latest addition to the DCEU. Of course, with one critique calling it a Marvel Phase One film, some hope may be ignited, although the MCU has evolved leaps and bounds since then, and those movies are arguably some of Marvel Studios’ weakest work.
Warner Bros. has already shifted the release date in some foreign markets, hoping to ensure that Aquaman’s adventures with Mera (Amber Heard) and his overall attempts to rule the throne of Atlantis make as much bank as possible. Hopefully, these early reactions aren’t an indicator as to what that take will be at the box office.
RELATED: Aquaman & Mera Are On the Hunt For a Relic in New Movie Image
Directed by James Wan, Aquaman stars Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Amber Heard as Mera, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, and Dolph Lundgren as Nereus. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 21.