James Wan's upcoming "Aquaman" is making a significant departure from its source material by giving Mera (Amber Heard) and King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren) a completely different relationship.
The two has a close relationship in the DC Comics as they were betrothed to each other before Mera departed from the underwater society of Xebel to spy on Atlantis, specifically Aquaman (to be played by Jason Momoa). However, she eventually fell in love with the enemy's ruler, sparking a war between the two underwater factions.
Nereus and Mera will still have close ties in the film but this time, it will be as father and daughter, as confirmed by Lundgren himself. Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the actor said of his character: "It is good to be king. Basically, I try to keep the peace down there along with Amber Heard, who plays my daughter."
"She's trying to convince me to join the right side," he added. "Then you have Nicole Kidman as Aquaman's mother. We're trying to avoid war between the surface [dwellers] and the people of Atlantis."
While the change could upset some fans, it makes sense that the film is not pursuing the same backstory considering the age difference between the characters' portrayers. Heard, who is playing the part of the underwater princess, is only 31 while Lundgren is nearly 60 years old. The exclusion of the love triangle seems logical as well since Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson) and Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) are already trying to ignite a war against the surface world.
Then again, this does not necessarily mean that Nereus and Aquaman would be best friends either. If anything, the king of Xebel might not want his daughter in love with Arthur Curry as this could put Mera in the line of fire. Fans will have to wait and see.
"Aquaman" dives into theaters on Dec. 21, also starring Willem Defoe as Nuidis Vulko, Temeura Morrison as Thomas Curry, Michael Beach as Jesse Kane, and Ludi Lin as Murk.
