Can Aquaman and his last stand defy the long-standing DCEU box office narrative?

Aquaman 2 will witness Arthur Curry, the king of Atlantis, joining forces with his half-brother and former adversary Orm against an old nemesis, Black Manta. Driven by a desire for vengeance for his father's death, Black Manta aims to unleash the power of the Black Trident, an ancient yet formidable weapon rooted in black magic.

In the upcoming film, fans will see Curry rise to defend humanity, both on land and in the sea, from Black Manta. The film will depict his efforts to balance his role as the king of the greatest underwater kingdom in human history with his fractious relationship with his brother. It will also see him try to navigate his greatest challenge yet – fatherhood.

The newly released trailer unveils previously unseen footage. In the opening scenes, fans see Arthur Curry riding his seahorse Storm on the high seas.

It also hints that Atlanna, Curry's mother may die. In a poignant scene, she implores Curry and Orm to promise to "protect each other," a classic cinematic foreshadowing of impending tragedy. Given she had just delivered a warning about the cursed trident's black magic and its impact on the planet, her words carry an ominous and unsettling tone.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will see Jason Momoa return as Arthur Curry, the king of Atlantis. Patrick Wilson will reprise his role as Orm, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen as Black Manta. Amber Heard also returns as Mera, Curry's love interest, despite reported altercations during the shooting.

The film has all the makings of a potential superhero box office hit – emotional depth and high-stakes battles. However, the crucial question remains: can it deliver on these promises? Moviegoers are exhibiting signs of superhero fatigue, with fewer turning up for these films than ever before. Marvel Studios' recent release, The Marvels, reflects this trend with a franchise-low gross of $47 million.

Adding to the challenge is the context that recent DC Studios releases – Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Black Adam, and Blue Beetle, have been hindered by the perception that the franchise is winding down.

Given this context, the Momoa-led film faces a considerable uphill climb. Yet, DCEU fans hope it can surmount these challenges, as it stands as the franchise's swan song, and a triumphant exit would be fitting.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to make a splash in theaters on December 22.