Movie Talk: Black Manta Cast in ‘Aquaman;’ Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in ‘The Black Hand’

James Wan's upcoming "Aquaman" adaptation set to open earlier next year. Director James Wan has revealed this earlier. The team has been conducting meetings with numerous actors for the part over the past two weeks.

According to Collider, "The Get Down" star Yahya Abdul-Mateen will star as Aquaman's greatest nemesis, Black Mantra. The official offer went out on Monday and the parties are now in talks. THR also reports that Nicole Kidman was definitely Wan's top choice to portray the role of Aquaman's mother.

Jason Momoa as Aquaman: the half-human, half-Atlantean undersea royal with Amber Heard on board as his love interest, Mera. Willem Defoe plays the royal science advisor, Nuidis Vulko, and Patrick Wilson will reteam with director Wan to play Orm Marious, also known as Ocean Master, a villain who happens to be Aquaman's half-brother. The appearance of the two villains is a presumptuously bold approach in the story.

Originally created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy, Black Mantra first appeared in "Aquaman #35" back in 1967, however, the character hasn't have yet a defined origin story until 1993. In the New 52 version, Aquaman accidentally killed Black Mantra's father, which results in a blood feud between the two.

"Aquaman" is a massive undertaking for Warner Bros. and the next DC movie to be going before cameras. We'll surely see more once the movie starts its production this April, and is slated to open on July 2018.

Another movie to be checked off the bucket list: Leonardo DiCaprio Set to Produce and Star Mafia Thriller "The Black Hand." Leonardo DiCaprio's new role after his first Oscar has finally lined up. He recently starred in "Before the Flood," the 2016 documentary about climate change directed by Fisher Stevens. He will now star in and produce an adaptation of Stephan Talty's book "The Black Hand".

According to Deadline, Paramount has acquired the rights to the Stephan Talty's book "The Black Hand". The true story about the origins of the mafia in America follows Joe Petrosino-an NYPD cop who goes after the ruthless gang in the early 1900s. The perpetrators left a calling card of the symbol of a black hand. Detective Petrosino is determined to capture the members of the criminal organization, and his task takes him all the way to Sicily. So basically, DiCaprio's going to play a guy dubbed "Italian Sherlock Holmes" and the battle mob.

It is reported that they are currently looking for a screenwriter to adapt Talty's book. DiCaprio's previous portrayals into true-life have been so successful. It is no surprise to hear that the actor is set to take that route again in his upcoming film. Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Jeremy Bell of The Gotham Group will produce for the Gotham Group and Appian Way.

TagsAqua Man, James Wan, Leonardo DiCaprio, movie