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| Yahya Abdul-Mateen II |
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays the villain Black Manta in the upcoming “Aquaman” movie and he says it’s his biggest role.
“It was a huge role,” he told Access at CinemaCon2018. “This will be, to date, my biggest role. I’m so excited. I have a lot of fun playing quote unquote villains because I think the bad guys get to have more fun, right?”
The best villains are ones that don’t see themselves that way so this is exciting.
Black Manta is a DC Comics character that first appeared over 50 years ago. The character was a major player in several animated incarnations. But Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will be the first actor to play a live-action version of him.
Abdul-Mateen II also added that he talks regularly with fans. “And then also, this is a character who we’ve never seen in the canon on film before and I have a lot of fun teasing the fans and going back and forth with the fans on the internet about what’s going to be in the movie or how he’s gonna look,” he added. “So, there’s a lot of mystery. I’m really enjoying it all.”
One thing that’s going to be challenging for the film is portraying Black Manta without making him look silly. While some interpretations make him look sinister it’s hard to take a guy with a fishbowl on his head seriously. But his menacing look and battlesuit will look awesome if it’s done the right way.
“Aquaman” is being directed by James Wan and is the six film in the DC movie universe. Wan said the movie focuses on Orm aka Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson) and his “sibling rivalry with Aquaman (Jason Mamoa) and is “a very classic Shakespearean story about brother from another world vs. brother from another world”. Black Manta is “caught up in” the world and plays a secondary villain in the movie.
There are very few villains played by black actors and “Black Panther” shows there’s an opportunity to create a memorable and powerful villain with an actor of color. So this is great to see
The 30-year old actor is best known for his role Clarence “Cadillac” Caldwell in the TV series “The Get Down”. Hes also been in movie like “Baywatch” and “The Greatest Showman” along with Hugh Jackman.
David Hyde aka Black Manta first appeared in Aquaman #35 (1967). He was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. In the comics, he’s a black man who grew up Baltimore, Maryland. As a youth, Black Manta was kidnapped and forced to work on a ship before killing his captures. He grew up with a hatred for the sea and Aquaman. His intellect, technology, and strategic planning make him one of Aquaman’s greatest foes.
“Aquaman” is being directed by James Wan and while some of the movies have gotten mixed reviews this one promises to be amazing.
About Aquaman (2018)
Directed by James Wan
“Aquaman” stars Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Beach, Graham McTavish, Black Manta, Dr. Stephen Shin, Thomas Curry
“Aquaman” is scheduled for release December 21, 2018 (United States)
Check back with the Geek Twins for more Aquaman movie news and hype!
[Via Comic Book Movie]
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