"The Get Down" actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has landed the role to play Black Manta in Warner Bros. upcoming film "Aquaman." He has nabbed the part as one of the DC Comics villains.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, director James Wan and the studio have been meeting with numerous actors for the part of Black Manta over the past two weeks for "Aquaman," settling on Abdul-Mateen over the weekend. The official offer went out on Monday, and the parties are now in talks.
If a deal is made, Abdul-Mateen's character Black Manta in "Aquaman" has first appeared in a DC comic in 1967. He stood out due to his unique battle-costume, trident, and deadly schemes. Meanwhile, the titular character Aquaman made a quick cameo in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and will re-join the team in the Zack Snyder-directed follow-up "Justice League," Deadline reported.
Joining Adbul-Mateen in "Aquaman" stars "Suicide Squad" actor Jason Mamoa as the title character, also known as Arthur Curry, who is the king of the underwater seas in Atlantis and is half-human and half-Atlantean. "Justice League" actress Amber Heard is also on board as Queen of Atlantis Mera, who is Aquaman's royal love interest, and "Antichrist" actor Willem Dafoe as scientist Dr. Vulko, who is Aquaman's advisor. "Conjuring" actor Patrick Wilson will play a supervillain Orm, who happens to be Aquaman's half-brother.
Abdul-Mateen was a finalist for the role of Lando Calrissian in the untitled Han Solo Star Wars spinoff movie thanks to the acclaim that he received for his work on "The Get Down." Since then, he has booked roles in such high-profile movies as the Dwayne Johnson-Zac Efron action comedy "Baywatch" for Paramount, which is set to open this summer, and Hugh Jackman's musical biopic "The Greatest Showman" for Fox, which is based on circus founder P.T. Barnum. He is represented by Gersh.
Warner Bros. has slated the stand-alone film "Aquaman" for an Oct. 5, 2018 release. An April start in Australia is being planned.
Watch the video about Yahya Abdul-Mateen II casting as the DCEU villain:
