As we have said before, Aquaman has two arch-enemies: Ocean Master and Black Manta. Aquaman, the film, has already found its Ocean Master in Patrick Wilson, and it looks like it has found its Black Manta as well.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog is reporting that Warner Brothers has offered the role to The Get Down’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The two parties are in talks to work out the financial arrangements.
Black Manta first appeared in 1967 as a world-be ocean conqueror with a grudge against Aquaman. He’s a unique character in the fact that he is an African-American villain who is not a common street thug but rather a powerful world-beater. He also has killed Aquaman’s infant son in the comic, an act that most comic writers would have had their characters steer clear of.
Abdul-Mateen II is a relative newcomer to acting, The Get Down is his first major role, but he had a lot of high-profile projects coming up, including Baywatch and The Greatest Showman. He was also up for the role of Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo origin film, a part that went to Donald Glover.
Aquaman opens October 5, 2018.
Always loved this villian!