'Aquaman''s Jason Momoa on Zack Snyder's Jaw-Dropping Plans

Jason Momoa really is ideal casting for the role of ‘Aquaman’ hero Arthur Curry—he may not be blonde or have short hair or a clean-shaved, typical superhero look, but there’s something about his essence and appeal that makes him the perfect candidate. Momoa just looks like he was born to play some sort of sea God. We weren’t supposed to know about his casting in the film until 2016, but those beans were spilled a bit early, and now Momoa has opened up once again about his casting in the film, whether or not he’ll change his hair for the part (he won’t), and ‘Batman vs. Superman’ director Zack Snyder’s exciting plans for the DC universe.

Momoa participated in the Smart Works panel at the Sundance Film Festival (via Blastr), where he was inevitably asked about ‘Aquaman.’ The actor charmingly addressed the early leak of his casting, which we weren’t supposed to know about until 2016, when ‘Batman vs. Superman’ hits theaters. Momoa jokes that many people have a reason to punch him in the face now:

Last year, when I was on this panel I was like eating chicken breasts and in training when I wasn’t supposed to talk about anything. I wasn’t supposed to say anything until 2016. So I told a bunch of people that they could punch me in the face if I was on it, so I’m going to get hit a couple times. But they finally released it. I was supposed to keep it a secret for 3 years.

It’s been recently rumored that WB is eyeing ‘Mud’ director Jeff Nichols and ‘300: Rise of an Empire’ director Noam Murro to helm ‘Aquaman,’ and as for what comic book fans can expect from the film, Momoa offers:

Well, things are going to be a little different. When I first went in I met with Zack (Snyder). His idea is pretty amazing. When I went in, he told me … my jaw kind of dropped. My jaw doesn’t normally drop. What he has planned for the DC world and for … definitely for Aquaman is something that, you know… I think I was brought on for a certain reason and they got some really cool plans for him. I’m really excited for everyone to see it.”

Snyder is shepherding the DC Universe films for WB, acting as producer on their upcoming DC projects and in addition to helming ‘Batman vs. Superman,’ he’ll also be slipping back into the director’s chair for the ‘Man of Steel’ sequel and ‘Justice League.’ This is very much Snyder’s world, so although he’s not directing ‘Aquaman,’ he clearly has a vision for it.

Momoa also addressed the look of his character when a 74 year-old woman (amazing!) asked if the star would have a beard or mustache for the film:

Well, just going off what you’ve seen so far ma’am, I don’t think he is going to be blonde or white. I can’t really tell you because I haven’t shot it yet. I hate to disappoint. But um, you know, I’m a little different than what those others [sic]. I hope you watch it with an open heart.

Obviously he is not going to be white, but if you were curious about whether Jason Momoa would be dyeing his black hair to play the role of the traditionally blonde hero, the answer is no. Momoa was clearly cast for a reason, and it’s great to see that WB and Snyder don’t want to change him to suit the typical blonde, white hero mold.

‘Aquaman’ is scheduled to hit theaters on July 27, 2018.