Aquaman 2: The DCEU’s Last Hurrah

Perhaps the conclusion of the DCEU was inevitable. Over a decade since its inception with Man of Steel, the once-troubled franchise is wrapping up under new leadership. James Gunn and Peter Safran, now at the helm of DC Films, have signaled a departure from the DCEU. The emergence of a new DC Cinematic Universe is underway, and current indications suggest no room for familiar characters like Henry Cavill’s Superman or Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.

Even Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, despite leading the most successful DCEU film, appears to be on the way out. The latest installment, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is billed as the franchise’s final chapter. Directed by James Wan, the blockbuster takes the DCEU to a place far removed from its somber beginnings, reflecting a fitting evolution.

The DCEU initially aimed for a grand, operatic, and darker tone as a contrast to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, mixed responses to early films prompted Warner Bros. to shift towards lighter fare. The franchise ventured into experimental and tonally varied territory, yielding both successes and failures. The recent releases, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, further highlight the lack of cohesion.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, despite its lighthearted tone, feels disconnected from its DCEU counterparts. In retrospect, it serves as a fitting conclusion for a franchise that struggled to find its identity. As the last chapter, the film unintentionally becomes a commentary on the DCEU’s flaws, ending not with a whimper or a bang, but a small, insignificant splash.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently playing in theaters.

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