The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) may be smaller than fans expected. Jason Momoa's Aquaman might have just debuted on the big screen with "Justice League," but the King of Seven Seas has already crossed paths with Superman (Henry Cavill) before.
Their meeting actually comes in the form of a plot hole from 2013's "Man of Steel."
Before he became Superman, it can be recalled that Clark Kent wandered the globe to help the helpless. One memorable scene sees him rescuing several workers from a burning oil rig. However, even with all his super strength, the rig collapses beneath him, leaving him sinking in the middle of the ocean.
For some mysterious reasons, Kent floated back to the surface. Although the film has abundant Jesus imagery, it turns out it was not some divine presence that saved him. It was none other than the Dweller of the Depths, Aquaman.
It was widely speculated that Momoa's character had a role in the rescue. The most common theory is that Aquaman sent his whales to Kent's aid. During an interview with DC All Access, Momoa confirmed it was indeed his character, which explains why Arthur Curry is familiar with Superman when Bruce Wayne approaches him in "Justice League."
"In Man of Steel, when Henry [Cavill] is saving the oil rig and he's holding that up, and all of a sudden he kind of floats up on the ocean, he's [Zack] like 'I had Aquaman save him so that they did cross paths at one point," he explained. "So then when Bruce goes 'You ever heard of...Superman?' I have met him and we have crossed paths."
He did not specify how he saved Superman. However, it is likely that an offscreen Aquaman pulled the drowning Kent back to the surface and handed him to some nearby whales to possibly take him to shore.
It is unclear, though, if Superman knows Aquaman too. Either way, the two will formally meet in "Justice League." Directed by Zack Snyder, the movie opens in cinemas today, Nov.17. Apart from Momoa and Cavill, it also stars Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Ben Affleck as Batman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg.
As for "Aquaman," it premieres next Christmas, on Dec. 21.
