Jason Momoa talks about bringing superhero diversity to Aquaman

January 29th 2015, 7:24pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

The DC cinematic universe had its first chapter with Zack Snyder’s MAN OF STEEL setting the stage for bigger and more ambitious chapters to come our way. Next year we have BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE which will feature the big screen introduction of Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot, Cyborg, played by Ray Fisher, and Aquaman, played by Jason Momoa. From there, the sky and oceans are the limit.

Momoa recently spoke with The Daily Beast and talked not only about the excitement for what’s to come but about the pride in helping bring about superhero diversity:

I’ve had to bust ass to be in this industry. A lot of things are very black and white, Aquaman is especially cool because being a Kanaka Maoli—being Hawaiian—our Gods are Kanaloa and Maui, and the Earth is 71 percent water, so I get to represent that. And I’m someone who gets to represent all the islanders, not some blond-haired superhero. It’s cool that there’s a brown-skinned superhero.

Momoa is also excited to bring Aquaman back for his solo film and the two-part Justice League:

It’s awesome as an actor to know what your future is going to be because I have children and I’ve busted my ass to put food on the table,” he said. “It’s awesome knowing that I’m going to be in Justice League because my son is the biggest Batman fan and my daughter loves Wonder Woman. It’ll be cool for them to see me in something because they’re not going to be watching Game of Thrones or Red Road anytime soon, but now they can see Daddy kicking ass in IMAX.

It’s no secret that the lack of racial and gender diversity in superhero films is a widely talked about issue. Thankfully looking at the slate of projects coming our way over the next few years, it looks like efforts are certainly being made to make those fictional worlds we love so much more universal. Leave it to the “geek” culture and characters like Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman to set things right.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is slated to hit theaters on March 25, 2016. JUSTICE LEAGUE: PART ONE is then set to follow on November 10, 2017 with AQUAMAN hitting July 27, 2018 before JUSTICE LEAGUE: PART TWO arrives on June 14, 2019.

via Rahzzah