Dolph Lundgren: 'Aquaman 2' original cut shines too

Actor Dolph Lundgren, known for his role as King Nereus, has recently expressed his views on the original cut of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," stating that it was substantially superior to the film that audiences saw in theaters. He attributed changes made to the film, including reductions in screen time for Amber Heard's character Mera, to corporate decisions. This narrative is reminiscent of what happened with Zack Snyder's "Justice League," where the release of the Snyder Cut followed fan demands. With James Gunn and Peter Safran steering DC Studios into a new era and the less than stellar reception of "Aquaman 2," hopes for director's cuts like Ayer's version of "Suicide Squad" seem to be fading.

Is there a director's cut of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" that could be released, like the Snyder Cut of "Justice League"?

While Dolph Lundgren has indicated that an original cut of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" exists and is superior, there are currently no official plans to release this version to the public. The studio has not made any statements regarding a potential director's cut release, and with the reorganization of DC's cinematic universe, such a release appears unlikely.

"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is a part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and serves as the sequel to the 2018 film "Aquaman." Directed by James Wan, the second installment continues to follow the titular character played by Jason Momoa. The DCEU, which began with "Man of Steel" in 2013, has a history of varying audience and critical receptions to its films, leading to an upcoming overhaul under new leadership. Additionally, the concept of 'director's cuts' became popular after the success of the release of Zack Snyder's cut of "Justice League," prompting discussions about other films that may have alternate versions.