If you thought that DC Studios were going to ignore the monster success of its billion-dollar 2018 smash Aquaman you were wrong.

Despite delays, and a couple of fun horror excursions, James Wan is back helming the king of Atlantis in a brand new film.

Aquaman was one of DC’s more successful film with audiences and critics, mixing big action with a fun, adventure tone and the occasional jump scare to remind us Wan is also a great horror filmmaker.

Read more: Every upcoming DC movie

So far, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom appears to be the final DCEU film before the new slate of the DCU comes into play.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom release date

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to be released in US cinemas on 25 December, 2023, and in the UK on 29 December, hoping to get into people’s hearts over the Christmas holidays.

Originally slated for released at Christmas 2022, the film has been delayed a number of times: first to March 2023, then to December 2023.

The winter release worked in it’s favour last time but given it’s the big holiday release post-Avatar: The Way of Water and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, will audiences be watered out?

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There’s still a lot of time between now and December and no word has been released on the film's runtime.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom cast

Aquaman’s sequel would feel empty without Aquaman so luckily Jason Momoa is back as half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry, the king of Atlantis.

Also returning from the first film is Amber Heard as Xebel kingdom Princess — and love interest — Mera.

Also returning is Willem Dafoe as royal vizier Nuidis Vulko, Patrick Wilson as Curry’s half-brother and enemy Orm Marius.

Dolph Lundgren returns as Xebel king Nereus, Mera’s father, while Yahya Abdul-Mateen II returns as pirate enemy David Kane who adopts an armoured suit making him the Black Manta.

Read more: Jason Momoa reveals new Aquaman suit

Temuera Morrison and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as Arthur’s parents Thomas and Atlanna respectively, while Randall Park is back as Atlantis obsessive science Dr Stephen Shin.

Pilou Asbæk has been cast in an undisclosed role, while Vincent Regan will play Atlan, the first king of Atlantis and Ben Affleck will reportedly cameo as Bruce Wayne / Batman.

Indya Moore will portray Karshon, and Jani Zhao will play Stingray.

What is the plot of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?

The plot is being kept under wraps at the moment, but will see Arthur don a new sleek black suit for his adventure.

Given Momoa has had a hand in the story writing process of the film, there is every chance that the film will be able to keep the fun and exciting tone of the first while moving it into more confidently darker territory like the Trench sequence in the first film.

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Former DC Studios exec Walter Hamada described the film as "a buddy comedy" between Momoa's Aquaman and Patrick Wilson's King Orm.

Is there a trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?

Despite the film's release date looming, other than one image of the new Aquaman suit, a title and new logo, audiences haven't seen much in terms of clips and trailers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

That said, during Las Vegas' CinemaCon in late April 2023, attendees were treated to the debut airing of the film's first footage. In the debut trailer, reports suggest we see Momoa's Arthur Curry juggling dual lives as a father on land and royalty under the sea.

While Heard's Mera is apparently only seen in fleeting glimpses, some sites have theorised that her character may perish early on, forcing Curry to join forces with his half-brother Orm (Wilson), to face a new foe who has gained control of the Black Trident, Black Manta (Abdul-Mateen II).

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released on 29 December, 2023.