AQUAMAN (2018): James Wan Promises “Swashbuckling” Adventure

James Wan Talks About Tone Of Aquaman

The Conjuring 2 director James Wan revealed what audiences should expect to see when Aquaman hits theaters in 2018.

While the DC Expanded Universe is known for being much darker and grittier than rival Marvel‘s Cinematic Universe, Wan explains that the upcoming superhero film will depart from past practice and try to convey a lighter tone. In contrast to the violent, often-character driven drama that characterized such movies as Batman v Superman and the Dark Knight trilogy, the director tells viewers that Aquaman will be more of a straight-up adventure story:

“I kind of don’t want to give too much away but know this: The spirit that I’m going for is like a classic sort of swashbuckling action adventure, sort of high seas adventure story,” he told “Entertainment Tonight” at the Australians in Film Awards Gala. “It’s ultimately a quest story in the spirit of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ meets ‘Romancing the Stone.’”

Those 1980s cinematic touchstones, which successfully blended high-stakes drama with humor, will undoubtedly please those fans who were critical of the dour tones of “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and heartened by the lighter touches of the teasers for “Justice League” and “Wonder Woman.” It perhaps also signals that Wan’s Aquaman won’t necessarily be the grim sea king sometimes portrayed in DC Comics titles.

Leave your thoughts on James Wan revealing that Aquaman will have a more adventurous and lighthearted tone than other DC films (via Cbr.com) in the comments section below. Readers seeking more movie news can visit our Movie News Page, our Movie News Twitter Page, our Movie News Facebook Page, and our Movie News Google+ Page. Want up-to-the-minute notifications? FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and Facebook. Aquaman is set for release on July 28th, 2018.