Amber Heard returns as Mera opposite Jason Momoa in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

While Arthur (Jason Momoa) He is adjusting to his new fatherhood and his family life, his beloved lighthouse now serves as a refuge on land for him, Mera (Amber Heard) and Arthur Jr.

In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomwhich will be released in Ecuador Wednesday December 20His home responsibilities are combined with his throne as the new king of Atlantis, which demands greater involvement in the daily life of the underwater kingdom.

Moreover, the past haunts him. After failing in his first attempt to defeat Aquaman, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) – still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death – he will do everything he can to finish the hero. On this occasion, the antagonist is more ominous than ever since Harnesses the power of the mythical Black Trident, unleashing an ancient and evil force.

James WanThat’s what the director of the film decided Momoa’s character had to look like a dignified monarch this time. That’s why, Arthur gets a shiny new suit that his mother gives him, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman).

The tight suit has blue, turquoise and purple scales, and is made of a fabric of iridescent mesh, lightweight and elastic, built on a bodybuilding suit. The material has a quality that It seems to change color and shine in the light, referring to his camouflage technology.

Additionally, thanks to the magic of visual effects (and the help of the cephalopods it was inspired by), the suit makes Arthur practically invisible. This design is reminiscent of the one Aquaman wore in the Silver Age comicswhich served as inspiration for Wan and the design teams for the film’s look.

Atlantis is even bigger, brighter, more colorful and more vibrant this time. In this new adventure, Arthur and… Orm (Patrick Wilson) They are on a quest that will lead them find a whole new place: the Lost Kingdom.

Wan assures that He found Antarctica an inspiring landscape and that is known, but at the same time most have not been there. This allowed him to explore an expanded version of that scenario.

“I was excited about the idea of ​​creating this kingdom, a completely new visual element in this film, along with other worlds to explore. I have to say that it wouldn’t be one of my films without some of my iconic creations, so there are new, dark creatures for the audience to enjoy.”.

But at the center of it all is Aquaman, along with all the characteristic charm and humor that Momoa, 44 years old, inspires this hero.

Battle in the depths

For this sequel, which continues to unfold under the ocean on a grand scale, the production team used the innovative technology from Eyeline Studio, which Wan and his team were able to do create a 360 degree water world.

The Eyeline Studio uses a specially designed circular cabin with 136 cameras in fixed positions – from the level of the feet to above the head – surrounding the actor. The actor performs in the center of the cabin wearing the full suit and a sensor band on his head which allows you to create your hair underwater using visual effects.

Outside the cabin, the castmates perform in front of cameras that capture their facial performances and place them over their corresponding avatars on the plasma screens in the cabin. The new working method allowed the actors to move freely and respond to each other’s performances..

In addition, production traveled to Hawaii to film in the authentic jungles of He’eia and the waterfalls of Manoa Valley.

He He’eia State Park It covers almost 75,000 square feet and is located near Kaneohe, on the windward coast of Oahu. It’s a lush, humid jungle that provides the perfect backdrop for the fictional island. Manoa Falls, a 45 meter waterfall that flows into a small pond, It is often known as the ‘rainbow valley’. by the frequent rainbows created by sunlight and dew.

The bay of Halona Beach -famous for the film From here to eternity (1953)—was used as the place where Orm and Arthur emerge from the sea to the shores of the volcanic island.