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Aquaman finds its villain, with Nicole Kidman in talks for key role

Get Down star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been cast to play antagonist Black Manta, fresh off a memorable turn in Netflix's The Get Down

Clarisse Loughrey
Wednesday 01 February 2017 06:40 EST
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The solo Batman film may have stalled after the loss of director Ben Affleck, but things are still moving forward elsewhere for DC.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been cast to play Aquaman's villain, Black Manta, fresh off a memorable turn in Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series The Get Down, Variety reports; having beaten out the likes of Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes and Straight Outta Compton's Corey Hawkins.

Abdul-Mateen was also on the shortlist to play a young Lando Calrissian in Star Wars' Han Solo spin-off, eventually won by Donald Glover; and, with a role in the upcoming Baywatch, it looks as if the actor is definitely one to watch.

Elsewhere, The Hollywood Reporter states Nicole Kidman is in talks to join the film as Aquaman's mother Atlanna, part of the royalty which rules over the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. She escapes, however, and falls in love with a lighthouse keeper, giving birth to the titular superhero; who proves to be a bridge between the two worlds.

If she signs on, she'll join Abdul-Mateen alongside the likes of Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Amber Heard as his love interest Mera, Willem Dafoe as his advisor Dr. Vulko, and Patrick Wilson as his half-brother and villain Orm.


Aquaman has a release date of 5 October 2018.

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