Black Manta to Play a Large Role in Future DC Films
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s debut in DC’s cinematic universe as Black Manta won’t officially arrive until Aquaman hits theaters later this year. However, Warner Bros. seems confident in his ability to win over audiences, as the villain will apparently play a “very large role” in future DC films.
Peter Safran, producer on Aquaman, confirmed as much during a recent interview with CinemaBlend. Safran told the publication,
We certainly have every intention that Manta plays a very large role in the DC universe. He has to. He’s just too great. And we give him his origin story in this movie. We do show how Manta, that we see in the comic books, became that character. And we’re so fortunate to have this guy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, to play him. I don’t know if you guys saw The Get Down on Netflix, this guy Yahya is just extraordinary, and he came in and he auditioned and we met with him and it was just a slam dunk.
What the studio has planned for Black Manta remains to be seen. Might he appear alongside Lex Luthor and Deathstroke in a hopeful Legion of Doom film? Perhaps guest roles will see him antagonize other heroes elsewhere.
Warner Bros. recently showed off a first look at the Aquaman rogue in action during San Diego Comic-Con. Admittedly, the trailer, which has amassed over 36 million views on WB’s official YouTube page, doesn’t give Black Manta too much time to shine. Yet, the little that is shown definitely impresses.
Aquaman opens in theaters this winter on December 21.
Source via Comic Book Resources
