As a long-time comic book fan and avid gamer, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think back to Santiago Cabrera’s brief stint as Aquaman during the aborted production of “Justice League: Mortal” in 2007. Having grown up reading DC comics and playing video games based on their heroes, the idea of seeing one of my favorite characters brought to life on the big screen was an exhilarating prospect.
Since 1941, Aquaman has been a well-known comic book character. However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that he made his first appearance in a theatrical production, with Jason Momoa portraying Arthur Curry in the DCEU series of DC films. Interestingly, around eight years prior to Momoa’s debut as Aquaman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” there were plans for George Miller to bring the superhero to life on the big screen through his cancelled project, “Justice League: Mortal.” Santiago Cabrera from “Heroes” and “Star Trek: Picard” was cast as Arthur, and he shared his experiences of donning the Aquaman costume and the disappointment of the film’s cancellation.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about his latest Apple TV+ series, “Land of Women,” where a subscription is required to watch, Cabrera shared his experiences of being linked to Aquaman and mentioned the possibility of joining Marvel or DC productions if offered. When asked if he would be open to such opportunities, he replied:
In 2007, I found myself in the role of Aquaman before the writers’ strike disrupted production. I was fortunate enough to visit Australia and meet George Miller, whom I deeply admire. We exchanged a few words, and my friend Tom Burke, who shined in “Furiosa,” passed on Miller’s greetings with an intriguing proposition: “Imagine, you’re a superhero!” With the strike halting progress on “Justice League: Mortal,” our adventure was put on ice.
As a gamer, I can imagine myself being part of an exciting project like “Justice League: Mortal.” My costars in this hypothetical production would have been D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Armie Hammer as Batman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Adam Brody as The Flash, Common as Green Lantern, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter, and Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord. With such an amazing cast, we could have kicked off DC’s shared cinematic universe around the same time Marvel’s took flight. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. The 2007-2008 writers strike threw a wrench into our gears, and after it ended, we encountered numerous delays and setbacks that hindered our progress.
In the end, Warner Bros. Pictures chose not to move forward with “Justice League: Mortal” and instead focused on individual films. This decision came after “Man of Steel,” which initiated the DCEU in 2013. Although Santiago Cabrera didn’t get a chance to appear as Aquaman on the big screen, he did manage to try on the costume during the preparation stage. The actor added:
As a dedicated fan, I had the privilege of visiting Wētā, the extraordinary FX company led by Peter Jackson. There, I tried on the costume for size, an experience that momentarily transported me into his magnificent world. Yet, a voice inside me whispered, “Hold back, keep calm.” In this industry, authenticity only unfolds when the project is complete and unveiled at its premiere. My enthusiasm was palpable as I shared my thoughts during this very conversation. If another opportunity presented itself, I would eagerly embrace it, especially if it meant exploring the villainous realm – a prospect that intrigued me immensely.
Despite not getting the role of Aquaman, Cabrera remains open to joining Marvel or DC productions if an opportunity arises. Notably, D.J. Cotrona, Adam Brody, and Common have found success within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Cotrona and Brody portrayed Pedro and Freddy in the “Shazam!” films, while Common appeared as Monster T in “Suicide Squad.” The initial release of “Justice League” hit theaters in 2017, followed by Zack Snyder’s extended version, which was released to Max subscribers in 2021.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming DC Universe, with James Gunn’s “Superman” film set to release on July 11, 2025. In this instalment, Superman is set to join forces with other heroes such as Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho. However, it remains unclear if the Justice League makes an appearance in this continuity. If we’re dealing with the Justice League International instead, there are plenty of potential characters for the team, and Santiago Cabrera could be a strong contender for one of those roles.
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2024-07-17 04:07