The new Aquaman has probably altered the public perception of its title character forever, and this change in image finds a worthy metaphor in the new promo for The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.
In a quick clip posted to the LEGO Movie Instagram, the DCEU incarnation of Arthur Curry rides a brick-based wave, using the oft-ridiculed version of Aquaman from the Super Friends era as his surf board. On voice duties is none other than Jason Momoa, who was confirmed earlier this year to cameo in the long-awaited sequel to the surprisingly well-received 2014 animation.
The LEGO film franchise has a rich track record of honoring and satirizing the superhero genre – most notably in last year’s The LEGO Batman Movie – and this trend is set to continue with The LEGO Movie 2. Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill will all reprise their roles from previous installments as Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern, respectively, while Momoa’s fellow DCEU regular Margot Robbie makes her LEGO Universe debut as Harley Quinn, taking over the role from Jenny Slate.
The lead part, however, goes to MCU player Chris Pratt, who lends his voice again to Emmet Brickowski. But as well as reprising his role as the happy-go-lucky hero of the series, the Guardians of the Galaxy star is also set to play Rex Dangervest, a galaxy-defending archaeologist, cowboy, and raptor trainer whose existence serves as a reference to the actor’s characters in the Marvel Universe, the Jurassic World films, and the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven, not to menti0n the old rumor that Pratt will be the next Indiana Jones.
Clearly the series has not lost its fervor for blending popular franchises into a geektacular hodgepodge, but we’ll find out if the formula can still work its charm when The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part hits theaters on February 8th, 2019.