Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is portraying Black Manta in this winter’s ‘Aquaman’ movie.  While in the comics, Black Manta is probably Aquaman’s best-known villain, reportedly his role in this movie will be limited, with a greater focus going to the hero’s half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) as the antagonist.  But the movie reportedly sets Black Manta up to play a larger role in a sequel.  (Provided the first movie does well, of course.)

But fans seem to have one thing on their mind when questioning Abdul-Mateen the first ‘Aquaman’ and that is, “Does Aqualad appear?”  The reason these questions are directed at Abdul-Mateen specifically is that the newest version of Aqualad is Black Manta’s son, with Mera’s sister Siren as the mother.  Unfortunately, fans of Kaldur’ahm are in for a disappointment.

James Wan delivered the same message last year when asked about the character.

To be fair, the ‘Aquaman’ cast is already pretty extensive.  In addition to Abdul-Mateen and Wilson, the movie stars: Jason Momoa as the titular hero, also known as Arthur Curry; Amber Heard as Atlantean princess Mera; Nicole Kidman as Arthur’s mother, Queen Atlanna; Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus; Willem Dafoe as advisor Nuidis Vulko; Temuera Morrison as Arthur’s human father, Tom Curry; and Randall Park as Doctor Stephen Shin.  In addition Orm and Black Manta, Aquaman and Mera will also do battle with The Trench.

There really isn’t room for much more.  Maybe if Black Manta does play a larger role in the sequel, they can work his son into the story.

Though Kaldur’ahm is probably the best known Aqualad, thanks to starring on the ‘Young Justice’ animated series, the first Aqualad was an Atlantean orphan Garth, who Aquaman took on as a sidekick.  That Aqualad was a founding member of the Teen Titans and later grew up to develop more mystical abilities and changed his name to Tempest.  For a period of time, he had a girlfriend, Tula, who operated as Aqua-Girl.

Are you disappointed that the ‘Aquaman’ movie won’t include either version of Aqualad?

‘Aquaman’ directed by James Wan surfaces in theaters on December 21, 2018.

Source: Twitter