Aquaman, the upcoming sixth entry into the DC Extended Universe, has one heck of a terrific cast list. With Jason Mamoa as the King of Atlantis, there’s also Amber Heard as Queen Mera, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, Willem Dafoe as Vulcan and Temuera Morrison and Nicole Kidman as Arthur Curry’s parents. It doesn’t stop there, either, as it’s now been revealed that another important figure is also in the mix.
Actor Michael Beach was asked on Twitter this week if he’s playing supervillain Black Manta’s father in the movie and replied with a very cryptic, but also telling, response: “Yes or no… Correct!”
Yes or No … correct! https://t.co/khOOAPjSMa
— Michael Beach (@MikeABeach) May 24, 2017
If you’re still not convinced, there’s also photographic evidence of Beach on the Aquaman set in Australia’s Gold Coast. Earlier this month, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II shared an image on Twitter which featured Beach. This sparked the rumour that the actor was playing Black Manta’s father, seeing as Abdul-Mateen is portraying Aquaman’s nemesis himself. Put that together with Beach’s reply, and it’s looking pretty certain that we’ll be seeing him in the movie.
Grateful to the Indigenous Elders (and youth) for giving us their blessing to work on their land. 🇦🇺 WELCOME TO COUNTRY! 🇦🇺 RESPECT ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/K4DLMPUVSc
— Yahya Abdul-Mateen 2 (@yahya) May 4, 2017
Aquaman aficionados will know that Black Manta’s father has an important role to play in his son’s backstory. In The New 52, it was revealed that Arthur Curry accidentally killed Manta Sr. in retaliation for an attack on his own father, Thomas Curry. Black Manta then swore vengeance on Aquaman and the pair became bitter enemies.
Beach’s casting in the role is also a fun easter egg for fans to pick up on. In the beloved Justice League Unlimited animated series, Michael Beach voiced the villainous Devil Ray, a character who’s Black Manta in all but name. The reason for the name change was due to the character’s rights being tied up with the live-action Aquaman TV series that was ultimately never produced.
Aquaman is directed by James Wan and swims into cinemas on December 21st, 2018.
