Aquaman Director James Wan Says The Character Will Never Be A Joke Again After Jason Momoa’s Badass Performance

As a superhero, Aquaman was just like the last kid getting picked to play softball. In spite of his abilities, he didn't have the respect other DC superheroes had, largely because of the 1970s cartoon Super Friends, which depicted him as a goofy character who talks to fish. And almost fifty years later, the jokes haven't ceased; a list from Ranker, "52 Aquaman Jokes Because He Sucks" has 1.2 million views, for example.

But James Wan, director of the upcoming Aquaman doesn't see that as a problem since Jason Momoa has stepped into the role. In fact, Wan calls Zack Snyder's decision to cast the former Game of Thrones star “a stroke of genius.”

That, most likely, has a lot to do with Momoa's sheer presence. At 6'4, the actor isn't exactly a shrinking violet, and Wan emphasizes that when he spoke with TheWrap about the actor's impact on the role.

“Momoa is not a guy that you would go up to and make fun of. I really think you immediately remove any of the stigma of the character from the cartoons that we are familiar with.”

Still, it's doubtful the jokes will stop as most are based on the cartoon and not the live-action movie, which debuts in 2018. While certainly no one is laughing at Momoa, James Wan understands there is a stigma associated with the superhero, but he doesn't seem concerned at how it will affect the movie.

“Having said that, I’m not completely unaware of the stigma. If anything, I embrace it and being able to laugh at yourself and have fun at yourself is important and that’s something I am aware of as I make ‘Aquaman’ right now.”

With superhuman strength, nearly impenetrable skin, the ability to breathe under water, and so much more, this refugee from the lost city of Atlantis deserves more respect from the superhero-loving community. I dare say, when Aquaman releases in December 2018, Jason Momoa will make sure the King of the Seven Seas gets what's been lacking for so long.