Aquaman Movie's Cast Revealed In Set Photos: Black Manta, Orm, Atlanna, And Vulko

The very first look at Aquaman's arch enemy Black Manta has finally been revealed! DC is coming out with a standalone Aquaman movie in December, and the team has been very secretive about details involving the film, which makes this first look at the new character even more enticing.

All we really know about Black Manta at this point are the very basics about his character. Entertainment Weekly reports that he is a mercenary and a pirate by the name of David Kane, and he will be played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who you may recognize from The Greatest Showman. Director James Wan has only described him as, "part mercenary but full-time pirate who, in his suit, will look like some crazy alien from outer space." Check out the image below.

Despite being Aquaman's nemesis, Black Manta will not be the central villain in the film, perhaps suggesting plans for more Aquaman's standalone films. Instead, the big bad in this movie will be Orm played by Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring), who in the comics is Aquaman's half-brother. Clearly Black Manta will feature in the movie in some way, but all the director has said is that he is, "somehow factored into the story."

In the photo, Black Manta is working on his suit which allows him to shoot red plasma rays out of his eyes. It may be that the unfinished nature of the suit is part of the reason why he won't be the main antagonist, he hasn't reached the height of his villainous journey isn't quite ready to face Aquaman yet. Theorizing aside though, the long-awaited first image of the famous Black Manta looks pretty cool.

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Additionally, EW revealed more images from the set, and above are just a few of them. For the first time, Aquafans catch a first glimpse of Vulko (from the back), Queen Atlanna, and Orm. Additionally, there are some more shots of Mera and Aquaman in costume as well. Vulko is played by Willem Dafoe and Atlanna by Nicole Kidman. In the comics, Vulko is the royal advisor to Aquaman and a leader in Atlantis' scientific community, and Atlanna is the birth mother of Arthur Curry AKA Aquaman.

Aquaman will be released in theaters December 21.