In a move that seemed to answer the prayers of fans, Warner Bros. has unveiled a teaser trailer for ‘Aquaman 2,’ following mounting apprehensions that the studio might be sidelining the highly-anticipated sequel. Responding to the buzz and clamor on Twitter, Warner Bros. uploaded a tantalizing 30-second promo, with a promise of the full trailer dropping later in the week. While the teaser offers a glimpse of the action and plot, DC enthusiasts are noting one significant absence.
Some DC fans are voicing concerns that Jason Momoa and Amber Heard, the stars of ‘Aquaman 2,’ are taking a backseat in the marketing campaign, sparking rumors that the studio is bracing for a potential disappointment at the box office.
The comic book community is abuzz this weekend, particularly due to the lack of official marketing materials for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” set to release in December. So far, there have been no first-looks, teaser trailers, or substantial promotional material, raising questions among fans.
Amber Heard’s limited presence in the teaser has added to the speculation about her role in the film. Whether she features prominently in the full trailer remains to be seen.
The slow rollout of promotional material has led to concerns among dedicated DC fans, with many questioning why Warner Bros. is delaying the marketing campaign. Addressing these concerns, KC Walsh of The GWW offered an intriguing perspective, stating, “Because they know it’s bad, they know it’ll lose money, and they aren’t putting a marketing budget behind it at all.” It’s unclear whether KC Walsh’s insight is based on industry sources or personal conjecture, but it has garnered attention from various comic-centric outlets.
The logic behind this perspective is rooted in recent performance of DC’s major superhero films. Notably, “Blue Beetle” struggled at the box office, and “The Flash,” despite a significant investment in production and marketing, disappointed financially. These factors, coupled with rumors of a less-than-stellar reception for ‘Aquaman 2,’ may explain Warner Bros.’ cautious approach, especially considering the film’s reported budget exceeding $200 million due to extensive reshoots during the pandemic.
Additionally, the ongoing strike, lingering controversy surrounding Amber Heard, and James Gunn’s sweeping reboot of the DC Universe add complexity to Warner Bros.’ decision-making.
While Warner Bros. recently found success with “Barbie,” it appears they are treading cautiously in other areas of their cinematic universe.
