In the case of adaptations, “colorblind casting” is often met with skepticism or even outright hostility.  (Case in point, African American Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm in the new ‘Fantastic Four.’)  But there really was no negative reaction (at least that I saw) when Polynesian actor Jason Momoa was cast as the normally blond-haired, blue eyed Caucasian Aquaman in Warner Brothers’ upcoming slate of movies based on DC Comics’ roster of heroes, kicking off this summer with ‘Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice’.  Perhaps, many assumed that Momoa would dye his hair blond for the role.  Well… it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.

Photo credit: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

While attending the Sundance Film Festival, Momoa appeared during the Smart Works panel and was actually asked about his appearance in the upcoming film and he revealed some startling facts about this spin on the famous undersea king.

Momoa will retain his dark looks and even revealed that this Aquaman has ties to the Hawaiian gods!  In the comics, Aquaman dwells in Atlantis, a city connected to Greek mythology, as a once powerful surface kingdom that sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.  Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from there with an entirely different history and culture.

It’s unclear if this change was planned from the start or if it was implemented to suit the actor.

Here is Momoa’s response to a 74 year-old woman and lifelong Aquaman fan when she asked him about going blond for the part:

“Well, just going off what you’ve seen so far ma’am, I don’t think he is going to be blonde or white. I can’t really tell you because I haven’t shot it yet. I hate to disappoint. But um, you know, I’m a little different than what those others — I hope you watch it with an open heart.”

After ‘Batman V. Superman,’ Momoa’s Aquaman will appear in ‘Justice League’ before graduating to his own solo movie which may be directed by Naom Murro (300: Rise of an Empire’).

Do the changes upset you or are you totally open to a new interpretation?  Can YOU watch with an open heart?

Source: CinemaBlend

Well, just going off what you’ve seen so far ma’am, I don’t think he is going to be blonde or white. I can’t really tell you because I haven’t shot it yet. I hate to disappoint. But um, you know, I’m a little different than what those others — I hope you watch it with an open heart.”

– See more at: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Jason-Momoa-Go-Blonde-Aquaman-Here-What-He-Said-69414.html#sthash.W3FTHmOF.dpuf

Well, just going off what you’ve seen so far ma’am, I don’t think he is going to be blonde or white. I can’t really tell you because I haven’t shot it yet. I hate to disappoint. But um, you know, I’m a little different than what those others — I hope you watch it with an open heart.”

– See more at: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Jason-Momoa-Go-Blonde-Aquaman-Here-What-He-Said-69414.html#sthash.W3FTHmOF.dpuf