Aquaman Sequel Faces Troubled Waters at Box Office Amid DCEU Reboot

Despite projected weak opening and controversy surrounding Amber Heard, reviews suggest an entertaining conclusion to the DCEU.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the final film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), is set to have a weak opening weekend at the box office, with projections suggesting a domestic haul of around $40 million and an international take of between $75 million and $80 million.
The film, which cost $215 million to produce, would need to make at least $500 million to break even, a figure that seems unlikely given the projected opening weekend figures.
The film's release comes after DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn announced a reboot of the cinematic roadmap, signaling to audiences that the established DCEU continuity would have limited relevance to the franchise's future.
Controversy surrounding Amber Heard, who reprises her role as Mera in the film, could also impact box office numbers, with her publicized legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp making her a divisive figure.
Despite these challenges, reviews suggest that the film is entertaining, with a free-wheeling attitude and committed ensemble cast, and could be a satisfying conclusion to the DCEU.