The world of Atlantis has brought together an ensemble of established stars and rising talent across two blockbuster films. With the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023 and a third instalment reportedly in development, many viewers are seeking clarity on who plays whom in this expanding DC franchise. This guide breaks down the cast of Aquaman (2018), the cast of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and what is currently known about a potential Aquaman 3.
From Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry to the watery depths of Black Manta’s revenge, the franchise has carefully balanced returning favourites with new faces. Below is a thorough, fact-based account of the principal actors and their characters across the series.
Who is in the cast of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
Aquaman (2018)
Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Randall Park, Temuera Morrison
Aquaman 3 (in development)
Expected return of Jason Momoa; no official cast confirmed yet. Release date TBA.
Key supporting characters
Mera (Amber Heard), Orm (Patrick Wilson), Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), Nereus (Dolph Lundgren), Vulko (Willem Dafoe)
Key insights about the cast
- Jason Momoa is the only actor to have appeared in all Aquaman films to date.
- Amber Heard’s role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was reduced due to legal controversies, but she still appears as Mera.
- Patrick Wilson returns as Orm, a major character in the sequel, having previously played the Ocean Master.
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprises Black Manta as the primary antagonist in the sequel.
- Nicole Kidman’s character Atlanna returns despite having been presumed dead in the first film.
- Randall Park joins the cast in a new role as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Aquaman franchise cast at a glance
| Actor | Character | Film appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Momoa | Arthur Curry / Aquaman | Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), Aquaman 3 (TBA) |
| Amber Heard | Mera | Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
| Patrick Wilson | Orm Marius / Ocean Master | Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
| Yahya Abdul-Mateen II | David Kane / Black Manta | Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
| Nicole Kidman | Queen Atlanna | Aquaman (2018), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
| Willem Dafoe | Vulko | Aquaman (2018) |
| Dolph Lundgren | King Nereus | Aquaman (2018) |
| Randall Park | Dr. Stephen Shin | Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
| Temuera Morrison | Tom Curry | Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
Who stars in the original Aquaman (2018) film?
The 2018 film assembled a star-studded cast under director James Wan. Jason Momoa leads as Arthur Curry, the half-human, half-Atlantean hero. Amber Heard plays Mera, the warrior princess of Xebel, while Patrick Wilson portrays Orm, Arthur’s half-brother and the primary antagonist. Willem Dafoe appears as Vulko, Arthur’s mentor, and Nicole Kidman plays Atlanna, Arthur’s mother, the former queen of Atlantis. Dolph Lundgren takes on the role of King Nereus, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II appears as David Kane, the human who becomes the villain Black Manta. Temuera Morrison plays Tom Curry, Arthur’s father. Ludi Lin, Michael Beach, Randall Park, Graham McTavish, and Leigh Whannell round out the supporting ensemble. Julie Andrews provides the voice of Karathen, the sea monster. Djimon Hounsou also appears, though his character name is not specified in the available credits. The cast is consistently verified across IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and TV Guide.
Lead cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson
Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Arthur Curry anchors the franchise. His physical presence and charisma brought the character to mainstream prominence. Amber Heard’s Mera serves as both a love interest and a formidable warrior in her own right. Patrick Wilson’s Orm, also known as the Ocean Master, provides a tragic antagonist driven by a conviction that Atlantis should rule the surface world.
Supporting cast: Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren
Willem Dafoe plays Vulko, the wise counsellor who trains Arthur. Nicole Kidman’s Atlanna returns in flashbacks and later in the sequel, surviving her presumed death. Dolph Lundgren’s King Nereus is a rival Atlantean monarch who aligns with Orm. Temuera Morrison appears as Tom Curry, Arthur’s human father, and is confirmed to return for the sequel.
Villain cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a menacing performance as David Kane, a pirate who becomes the armoured villain Black Manta after his father’s death during a conflict with Aquaman. His character is set up as a major threat for the sequel.
Is Amber Heard in Aquaman 2 and what is her role?
Yes, Amber Heard appears in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. According to Collider, she “will indeed be returning” as Mera. Her role in the sequel is reduced compared to the first film, a change widely attributed to the legal controversies surrounding the actress. Nevertheless, Mera remains a part of the story and supports Arthur in his conflict with Black Manta and Orm.
Amber Heard’s reduced role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been linked to her public legal battle with Johnny Depp, though DC Studios has not officially commented on the extent of her scenes. The film includes her character Mera in key moments, but promotional materials focused heavily on Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson.
What is the Aquaman 3 release date and who is likely to be in the cast?
Aquaman 3 is officially in development at DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. No release date has been set. While Jason Momoa has expressed interest in returning, a contract has not been officially confirmed. No other cast members have been announced. It remains uncertain whether Amber Heard will reprise her role, and many fans speculate that DC may recast Mera or write the character out of the story. New characters from the Aquaman comics, such as King Shark or Aqualad, may be introduced, though this is not confirmed. The most prudent statement is that the available sources cover only the first two films, and any casting for a third remains speculative.
Official announcements and development status
James Wan, who directed the first two films, has moved to a producer role for the potential third instalment. A new director has not been announced. The project is at an early stage, with no script or production timeline publicly confirmed.
Expected returning cast members
Given the pattern of the franchise, Jason Momoa is the most likely returning actor. Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II could return if their characters’ arcs are continued. Nicole Kidman, Randall Park, and Temuera Morrison are possibilities, but nothing has been confirmed.
Who plays Black Manta in the Aquaman series?
Black Manta is played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). His character David Kane transforms into the armoured villain after his father, Jesse Kane (played by Michael Beach), is killed during a submarine confrontation with Arthur Curry. Abdul-Mateen II’s performance has been praised for bringing intensity and depth to the role. In the sequel, Black Manta becomes the primary antagonist, wielding an advanced Atlantean trident. It is not yet known whether the character will return in a third film.
Black Manta’s suit in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is powered by a black trident that corrupts him, raising his threat level significantly. The character’s comic-book origin as one of Aquaman’s greatest enemies is fully realised in this adaptation.
Who directed the Aquaman films and what is the crew?
Both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) were directed by James Wan. Wan is known for his work on horror franchises like Saw and The Conjuring, as well as the action film Furious 7. For the sequel, Wan also served as a producer alongside Peter Safran. The screenplay for the first film was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall. The cinematography was handled by Don Burgess, and the score was composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams. For Aquaman 3, no director or crew members have been officially announced.
Cast development timeline
- : Aquaman released; cast includes Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
- : Aquaman 2 announced; most original cast expected to return.
- : Amber Heard controversy arises; reports of reduced screen time in sequel.
- : Principal photography begins; Randall Park and Temuera Morrison join cast.
- : Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom released; cast confirmed with Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Randall Park.
- : Aquaman 3 announced in development; no official cast confirmed yet. Jason Momoa expected to return.
What is known and what is unclear about the cast?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Jason Momoa stars as Aquaman in all current films. | Whether Amber Heard will appear in Aquaman 3 has not been confirmed. |
| Amber Heard appears in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as Mera. | Aquaman 3 release date has not been officially announced. |
| Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II return for the sequel. | Full cast list for Aquaman 3 remains unofficial; rumours of new characters are unconfirmed. |
Analysis of casting decisions and franchise direction
The Aquaman franchise has maintained a core cast across its first two films, with Jason Momoa as the anchor. The sequel introduced new characters such as Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park) while keeping the principal antagonists Orm and Black Manta in play. The controversy surrounding Amber Heard influenced her role in Aquaman 2, though her character Mera remains part of the story. Future casting decisions for Aquaman 3 will likely be affected by public reception and the direction taken by James Gunn’s new DC Studios regime. With James Wan moving to a producer role for a potential third film, the casting direction may shift. Fans speculate about the introduction of other Justice League members or additional underwater kingdoms, but no official announcements have been made.
What the sources say about the cast
“Jason Momoa stars as Aquaman, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman also star in supporting roles.”
“Jason Momoa · Arthur ; Patrick Wilson · Orm ; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II · Black Manta ; Amber Heard · Mera ; Nicole Kidman · Atlanna.”
“Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman : · Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius: · Amber Heard as Mera: · Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as David Kane / Black Manta: · Randall Park as …”
What does the future hold for the cast of Aquaman?
Aquaman 3 is officially in development, but no cast details have been confirmed. Jason Momoa is the most likely actor to return, given his central role in the franchise. The return of other original cast members remains unconfirmed. New characters from the Aquaman comics, such as King Shark or Aqualad, may be introduced. Readers interested in similar cast guides may find the Cast of Fast X – Complete List of Characters & Actors useful, as well as the Super Mario Movie – Full Guide to the 2023 Film and 2026 Sequel for another major franchise.
Frequently asked questions about the cast of Aquaman
Who plays Aquaman in the movie?
Arthur Curry / Aquaman is played by Jason Momoa.
Who is the cast of Aquaman 2018 on Wikipedia?
The main cast includes Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
Who plays Mera in Aquaman?
Mera is played by Amber Heard in both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).
Who plays Black Manta in Aquaman 2?
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprises his role as David Kane / Black Manta in the sequel.
Who directed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
The film was directed by James Wan, who also directed the first Aquaman.
Is there a third Aquaman movie?
Yes, Aquaman 3 is in development at DC Studios. No official cast or release date has been announced.
Where can I watch Aquaman movies?
Both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) are available on various streaming platforms including HBO Max and for purchase on digital retailers. Check local listings.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.