Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s delayed trailer might sink DC’s record breaking run, here’s why

Aquaman fans rejoiced this week as the trailer for the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, was finally released. Helmed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa, this sequel follows 2018’s Aquaman, the crown jewel of the DC box office with a whopping $1.148 billion in earnings. Yet, with the film’s release just over three months away, the delayed trailer raises eyebrows, especially considering the timely releases of trailers for DC's other contenders: The Flash and Blue Beetle.

Promotion in peril amidst SAG-AFTRA strike

The entertainment world's attention is fixated on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which could significantly hamper the movie's promotion. Given that stars like Momoa, Amber Heard, and Patrick Wilson are forbidden from promoting the film during this strike, The Lost Kingdom could enter the holiday season lacking the celebrity marketing push that typically drives box office success.

Also Read: Bruce Willis' brave battle: From aphasia to frontotemporal dementia revealed 

A rocky road to release

Navigating through the challenges of the COVID-19 era, The Lost Kingdom faced multiple release reschedules. Initially slated for December 2022, it shuffled to March 2023, and now, to Christmas 2023. Additionally, the film witnessed multiple leadership changes at Warner Bros., alongside a series of reshoots. It's been anything but smooth sailing for Aquaman's sequel.

The end of an era and the birth of another

This sequel marks the final installment in the universe which began with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013. Following its release, Hollywood heavyweights James Gunn and Peter Safran are poised to launch their own cinematic universe. Meanwhile, director Wan promises fans an action-packed yet socially relevant narrative, hinting at a subplot surrounding climate change.

Also Read: Diving deep into Val Kilmer's nostalgic Reddit AMA: surprises, revelations, and pizza! 

This sequel marks the final installment in the universe which began with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013. Following its release, Hollywood heavyweights James Gunn and Peter Safran are poised to launch their own cinematic universe. Meanwhile, director Wan promises fans an action-packed yet socially relevant narrative, hinting at a subplot surrounding climate change.Will The Lost Kingdom rise to the occasion, or will the delayed marketing and looming strike pull it under? Only time, and the box office, will tell.