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'Aquaman' villain Yahya Abdul-Mateen II talks to GQ about the movie

By

Chris Begley

·

on 'Aquaman' villain Yahya Abdul-Mateen II talks to GQ about the movie

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays the villain Black Manta in Aquaman, and GQ Australia caught up with the actor to talk about next year's big DC movie.

Abdul-Mateen II talks about the scale of Aquaman, what he thinks the fans will think, and bulking up to play Black Manta. Check out the Aquaman portion of the interview below.

Speaking of Aquaman, how’s it all going?

It’s going great. The scale is epic and this movie is going to be so good! I can’t say too much, but in the hands of [director] James Wan and with Jason Momoa at the helm, I think people are going to be really happy with it.

You play villain Black Manta. Have you had to bulk up?

Yeah. It’s been about five days a week in the gym and doing fight training, too. I have a love-hate relationship with working out. I do not enjoy the experience when I’m doing it, but I never regret it.

I think I’m in the best shape of my life.

SOURCE: GQ Australia

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29 comments

  1. Jesse Hernandez Avatar
    Jesse Hernandez

    He will absolutely own this role and I’m looking forward on Patrick Wilson’s portrayal as well... I saw JL last night and I saw this image which I feel like it’s Zack Snyder telling us he tried... so I’m I looking into this to much or ... Idk https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
      ItzSilentStorm

      i don't really understand these Zack Snyder "I tried" theories. If this scene was directed by Snyder(which im pretty sure it was), it would have been before the reshoots

      1. Ezee23 Avatar
        Ezee23

        It's possible that, if it indeed was Zack Snyder's scene and if it was intended as a message to fans, then he was referring to the criticism he got for BvS and MoS.

        1. Julie D. Avatar
          Julie D.

          Or we could be reading into things too much and he's just a sad hobo.😜

          1. Ezee23 Avatar
            Ezee23

            Thats what I thought.

        2. SBHM Avatar
          SBHM

          Or it could be him saying “I tried” in defense of WB placing stipulations on his movie. I don’t think there’s anything to read into about it, but if there is, I’d bet it’s that.

    2. Ezee23 Avatar
      Ezee23

      I remember reading somewhere that this was a Whedon sequence.

      1. Jesse Hernandez Avatar
        Jesse Hernandez

        Whedon and Zack saying they tried on this movie

      2. Schuyler Finley Avatar
        Schuyler Finley

        Whedon chose the song, but I don't think he said that he had did the sequence as well. Though he probably did both.

  2. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
    Nightwing Fan J

    He's a cool guy. I'm excited for this movie. I can't wait to see it!!!

  3. MrMovies Avatar
    MrMovies

    Doubt he'll have a major role in the movie, but can't wait to see his costume!

    1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
      ItzSilentStorm

      given Wan's recent comments regarding who the villain(or antagonist as he said) was, I am also getting the feeling that Black Manta's role in this film will not quite be what I originally though it would be. I think it is possible this movie may in fact be something or an origin piece for him and we will see Arthur kill his father perhaps. This will set up Manta for the Legion of Doom. Just my theory. I would would love if he had a larger role here though as I think BM is an exciting character to see in live action

      1. MrMovies Avatar
        MrMovies

        Me too, but let's not overstuff the film at the same time.

    2. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
      Nightwing Fan J

      I have a feeling that he'll be sort of a "right-hand man" to Orm in the movie. It's just a suspicion, but I think it could work out well like that.

  4. Carl Avatar
    Carl

    I'm so excited to see what this character is like in the movie...after reading the rebirth stuff when he takes lead of NEMO, I'm trying to quell my expectations. Love this character so much.

    1. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
      Nightwing Fan J

      Hopefully, this role will lead him to join the Legion of Doom (or whatever team they're doing).

  5. Alan Conn Avatar
    Alan Conn

    Uh... that was short...

    1. thefallen83 Avatar
      thefallen83

      I thought the same lol

    2. Jason_Fallen_Son Avatar
      Jason_Fallen_Son

      Low-budget xd

  6. That Guy Avatar
    That Guy

    I honestly don't know what this guy's going to do with this character since his acting history is so short. Really hope they didn't choose him because he was the only the only tall black actor they could think of during the 'Baywatch' production days or because Dwayne Johnson recommended him. Plus hopefully they don't make him a CGI villain.

    1. SuperZilla Avatar
      SuperZilla

      He played a really good villain in Netflix's The Get Down.

    2. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
      Nightwing Fan J

      I don't see any reason he would be a cgi character. He's just a human.

      1. MrMovies Avatar
        MrMovies

        They've unfortunately been making costumes CGI in order to make it easier for the actors to act.

        1. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
          Nightwing Fan J

          I feel like the only thing they would need to be cgi on Black Manta would be the lasers in his mask. Besides, he doesn't need to wear the mask all the time.

          1. MrMovies Avatar
            MrMovies

            Yeah, but even body armor is CGI. Remember Yellow Jacket from Ant-Man? All CG. Same with Zod in MoS.

          2. Nightwing Fan J Avatar
            Nightwing Fan J

            He shouldn't even have body armor. Just a wet suit.
            https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

          3. MrMovies Avatar
            MrMovies

            Lol

  7. Bob Burger Avatar
    Bob Burger

    James Wan, such a great Director. I'm more hopeful for the DCEU's solo films than anything else really.

    If Mr. Wan can direct Black Manta to have that aura of villainy and fear that Mr. Wan can do with his Horror films, then I'm also hopeful for a possible great villain.

    Either way, I'm looking forward to this. Never in my life would I of assumed that the well-known campy joke-ish Aquaman could be made into something so grisly & beastly.

  8. Phunny Guy Avatar
    Phunny Guy

    Epic Tsujihara’s a$$. Just wait until the Nolanist start bit chin about the lack of groundedness and oversaturation of CGI effects. Then, the purest campy DC fans start complaining about this is not their Aquaman cause he’s supposed to be blonde and wearing an orange and green suit. All hell is going to break lose. Meanwhile, the Marvel fans and Disney will be laughing miniacally in the background. Just STFU Nolanist and purest DC phucs. Stop playing to their master plan. Who cares anyways cause Tsujihara is still in charge. Don’t go see any DC/WB movie until that stupid phuc gets the boot.

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com