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MOVIE FEATURE

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FROM TEEN TO TRITON!

MOMOA THROUGH THE Y EARS

Baywatch (1999-2001)

North Shore (2004-2005)

Stargate: Atlantis (2005-2009)

Conan (2011)

Ask any child to name their favourite underwater creature and they’ll likely say Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Ask an adult the same question and, chances are, they'll say Jason Momoa! Words Gill Pringle O ur beloved Aquaman returns to the depths of the ocean in the highly anticipated sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time.

Game ofThrones (2011-2012)

Frontier (2016-2018)

Reprising their original roles are Nicole Kidman’s fierce leader and mother, Atlanna; Patrick Wilson’s Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and nemesis; and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta, hell-bent on destroying

Aquaman (2018)

Dune (2021)

Jason Momoa and director James Wan

Aquaman, his family and Atlantis. And - despite a rather mean-spirited campaign to remove her from the sequel - Amber Heard also returns as Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and now mother of the heir to the throne. Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta/David Kane is still driven to avenge his father’s death and will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. But, this time around, he's more formidable than ever before: he’s wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, unleashing an ancient and malevolent force. Filmed on locations in the UK, Hawaii and New Zealand, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the 15th and final instalment in the DC Extended Universe. Directed again by James Wan, this sequel is based on a story conceived by both Wan and Momoa, whipped into shape by two fellow screenwriters. Kiwi actor Temuera Morrison also

character’s golden trident, saying,

"Feels good to be back.” Despite portraying his nemesis, Mateen II is impressed by what Momoa has brought to his character. “Jason’s brought his own self and his style, his taste and his culture. He introduced the world to that side of Aquaman.” For Wan, Momoa was always his first choice for the role. “The thing with directing Jason is that I don’t feel like I have to show how tough

Fast X (2023)

intimidated by how big he is.” Momoa, 44, tells STACK how working with Kidman - who plays his mother - was one

he is - because I think we all know how tough and strong and macho he is. But the thing I love about him is how funny he actually is. He’s very likeable and charismatic and just full of personality, and that was what I wanted to pull out of him in this role,” says the director. “He’s such leading man

of the highlights of his career, impressed by her work ethic. “Because I mean, A, she’s Nicole Kidman, and an amazing Academy Award winner. But she also had to wear some pretty gnarly outfits in some pretty cold conditions while soaked to the bone - and do scenes with me over and over. James definitely likes to do a lot of takes. But she was super intelligent, and I’ve never seen someone so playful yet very intuitive. She brought out the best in me. She comes in, she works and she leaves,” he says.

returns as Aquaman’s dad Tom Curry, Dolph Lundgren appears once again as King Nereus, while Randall Park joins the cast as Dr Stephen Shin. In

material - like I could even see him play in a romantic comedy,” he says, adding,

Jason Momoa’s eyebrow scar is the result of an assault in 2008 that required 148 stitches and reconstructive surgery. DYK?

“Jason has very strong opinions - and he’s a big guy so I’ve just got to make sure that [I’m not]

• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is out Mar 27

a behind-the-scenes clip, Momoa brandishes his

34 APRIL 2024

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