Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the latest installment in the DC Comics cinematic universe, has left audiences captivated with its underwater spectacle and gripping storyline. As the film unfolds, we witness the return of Aquaman, played by the charismatic Jason Momoa, who must defend Atlantis from the relentless assault of Black Manta, portrayed by the talented Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The movie takes us on a cinematic journey through deep-sea landscapes, mutant jungles, parched deserts, and even Antarctica, all while addressing significant themes such as global warming and racism within the mystical world of Atlantis.

The Plot Unraveled: A Recap of the Aquaman Sequel

The narrative unfolds with Aquaman ascending to the throne of Atlantis, only to face the daunting challenge of thwarting Black Manta’s attack on the undersea kingdom. This clash involves elements of light necromancy, zombie encounters, a sonic death gun, and an intriguing cephalopod sidekick. The adventure pushes our hero to explore diverse environments, from the depths of the sea to a mutant jungle, a desolate desert, and the icy expanses of Antarctica. Remarkably, the storyline also touches on the prevalent issue of global warming and introduces the unexpected theme of racism, revealing an extreme prejudice against surface dwellers held by the Atlanteans.

A Feeling of Finality: What Lies Ahead for Aquaman?

The film carries an undeniable sense of finality, not just for Aquaman but for the entire DC Comics onscreen universe as we know it. Jason Momoa’s future as Aquaman hangs in uncertainty, adding an air of intrigue to the cinematic experience. Given these circumstances, many wondered if Warner Bros. would use a post-credits scene to hint at another adventure, providing a glimpse into the future of Aquaman’s character within the DC cinematic universe.

The Credits Scene Unveiled: A Playful Callback

Aquaman 2 indeed features a credits scene, and it cleverly references one of the film’s lighter moments. In a callback to a humorous interaction between Aquaman and his brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the scene revisits a quirky joke shared during the movie. As Aquaman frees Orm from the Deserters, he playfully introduces his brother to the joys of surface life, emphasizing the pleasures of hamburgers, beer, and tacos.

Orm’s Journey Continues: A Positive Twist

The credits scene takes us back to Orm, now free and embracing the joys of surface life. With a burger and beer before him, Orm’s transformation is evident. The scene, while maintaining its humor, also highlights Orm’s openness to rethinking his prejudices and finding beauty in the surface world. Importantly, it suggests a potential shift in the narrative, indicating that this particular iteration of Aquaman may have reached its conclusion.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Trailer

A Cinematic Overhaul: What the Future Holds

As the credits scene opts for humor over a traditional teaser, and considering the movie’s neatly tied ending with no looming antagonist, questions arise about the future of Aquaman within the DC cinematic universe. The recent cinematic overhaul, with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the helm of DC Studios, introduces a new slate of projects, notably excluding existing iterations of heroes like Aquaman, Shazam, and the Flash. The lack of confidence in the box office performance of the Shazam sequel and the Flash standalone further clouds the future appearances of these iconic characters.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom delivers a thrilling cinematic experience with a touch of finality. The credits scene, though lighthearted, hints at a potential shift in the narrative and leaves audiences speculating about what lies ahead for the underwater king.