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Aquaman Interview: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on Black Manta, Big Helmet Challenges, and Sequel Hopes

By

Sean Gerber

·

on Aquaman Interview: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on Black Manta, Big Helmet Challenges, and Sequel Hopes

Aquaman is less than a week away from theaters in North America. The latest from Warner Bros. and DC Films is already hauling in huge amounts of cash overseas and the (mostly) positive critical reception should lead to similar success domestically.

Warner Bros. should soon be set to move forward with sequel plans and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is ready to be part of them. The actor behind Black Manta recently sat down with us for our sister site Superhero News to discuss that cool costume, the challenges that come with an oversized helmet, and his hopes for the future in the eternal struggle between Black Manta and Aquaman.

You can see our entire conversation in the video above.

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

36 comments

  1. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
    Hunter Zolomon

    He was bloody awesome as Manta and easily the better villain of the film. I think in the sequel if they handle it right he could be one of the best villains in comic book films. Finally his big action scene is bloody amazing and one of the many highlights of the film.

    1. Thanasis Avatar
      Thanasis

      Everything with Manta was great imo.

      1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
        ItzSilentStorm

        im hearing mixed things about Manta. SOme are saying his acting was questionable

        1. Thanasis Avatar
          Thanasis

          There's like one scene where I maybe agree on the questionable acting thing. But he's good and his material is good.

    2. Proto-Power Avatar
      Proto-Power

      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

  2. ZaQueerdo Avatar
    ZaQueerdo

    Really glad the ending didn't have a stupid Luthor cameo like a bafflingly high number of people were expecting. I can't wait to see where they go with Manta.

    1. Seb is a Socialist Avatar
      Seb is a Socialist

      what wouldve been wrong with that?

      1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
        ItzSilentStorm

        people generally don't really like that actor's portrayal of the character and do not care to seem him again it would seem

        1. Seb is a Socialist Avatar
          Seb is a Socialist

          who gives a shite? if they start listenin to rabbid fanboys they wont make any decisions. its why fox marvel sucks.

          1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
            ItzSilentStorm

            fox marvel has ups and downs.

          2. Seb is a Socialist Avatar
            Seb is a Socialist

            aye but i dont have hopes for the phoenix movie

  3. Winterventions Avatar
    Winterventions

    No spoilers dudes! As I'm in Australia and it only just opened.

    But damn he is the one reason that is really making me want to see the film. I didn't know much about Manta until I saw him in Injustice 2 and I was like 'damn that dude is sick as hell'. So fucking happy they included him in this film.

    Yo, people who have seen it - do we get much exploration of his motivations/backstory? @Zoom2002:disqus you've seen it, right?

    1. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
      Hunter Zolomon

      You get more or less his backstory and yes you get his motivation in full and why he hates Arthur, its pretty much an origin for Manta as well as Aquaman.

  4. Kryptonian Knight Avatar
    Kryptonian Knight

    Down to 70%, not trending the right way.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
      ItzSilentStorm

      thats disappointing

    2. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
      Hunter Zolomon

      Its going to be interesting to see if we have another situation where critics aren't sure on it but audiences love it. Yeah i know Venom scored a hell of a lot lower then AM and that AM is miles better but still a 70% rating could and should be better, me i give it 4/5 because despite the many flaws i was really entertained and for the most part its a really good film

      1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
        ItzSilentStorm

        so then why do the critics all think its TRASH?

        1. Hunter Zolomon Avatar
          Hunter Zolomon

          What you on about?

          1. ItzSilentStorm Avatar
            ItzSilentStorm

            that RT score keeps going the wrong way!

    3. SJ1986 Avatar
      SJ1986

      Having just seen it I totally understand that a lot of critics won't like this and that's definitely a good thing! It's a bonkers film that's definitely not for the cynical film goer! But if you don't take everything so seriously it's fun from beginning to end!

    4. Swaggersaurus Avatar
      Swaggersaurus

      I have never seen a RT score trend upwards, but this is bound to take a huge drop. DC and WB strategically gave passes to critics they thought would like the movie. Now that the movie is available for everyone look for the score to take a dive.

    5. mabruno Avatar
      mabruno

      The movie opened in the UK and got mostly negative reviews there. That is what dragging the RT score down. Let's hope it stays fresh at least until the US opening.

    6. Swaggersaurus Avatar
      Swaggersaurus

      The most recent reviews on Aquaman are 10 fresh 10 rotten. Calculated, When all is said and done Aquaman should have a Tomatometer of about 60%. Hovering right around the fresh/rotten mark.

      1. mabruno Avatar
        mabruno

        Assuming it will continue to get 50/50 fresh/rotten reviews. I do expect it though to get fresh ratings from the regional press when it opens in the US.

      2. Qthetar . Avatar
        Qthetar .

        No it will stay in the 70s.

        1. Swaggersaurus Avatar
          Swaggersaurus

          Want to make a bet on it?

          1. Qthetar . Avatar
            Qthetar .

            Yes.

          2. Swaggersaurus Avatar
            Swaggersaurus

            Ok 20 dollars it won’t stay in the 70s. Looks like you are already losing.

          3. Swaggersaurus Avatar
            Swaggersaurus

            63 percent and dropping. How are you feeling about your prediction buddy?

    7. Master Bruce Avatar
      Master Bruce

      I've no idea what critics are expecting. It's a simple film with some unexpected twists. The action choreography and cinematography are exceptional especially Atlanta's and the climax fight. It has fun, action, adventure and the movie has a good pace.I haven't felt it before but now I'm thinking that the critics are biased.Because even average Marvel movies are getting a good RT score. I dont care about RT that's another story.

  5. SJ1986 Avatar
    SJ1986

    Watched it last night and it is a WEIRD film! But it's totally engaging and I didn't stop smiling the entire time. You genuinely leave thinking WTF did I just watch, but in a good way!

    1. mabruno Avatar
      mabruno

      It is not weirder than Thor or Star Wars. When one creates a fantasy world, of course you will get fantastic creatures.

  6. Qthetar . Avatar
    Qthetar .

    I hate when clueless critics say Black Manta custom looks like a power ranger bad even tho it’s badass and comic accurate. And that’s also coming from the so called comic readers in collider. But none of them will dare to talk about how Darth Vader suit and his army look so cheesy and comically non-intimidating whatsoever. But when it comes to DC they become critical with everything.

    1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf Avatar
      Flower & Monster & Golden Calf

      I don't know what's up with them. They didn't get invited to set or advanced screening.

    2. Master Bruce Avatar
      Master Bruce

      That happens when you are paid to do something.

    3. mabruno Avatar
      mabruno

      Manta is a solid villain. He has a good backstory and a plausible reason to hate Aquaman in the movie, which matches the comics somewhat BTW.

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