Cast of Aquaman (Film): Full List of Actors and Characters

Few superhero films command the underwater kingdom with as much star power as Aquaman. When the first film splashed onto screens in December 2018, it brought together a cast that mixed A-listers with character actors, anchored by Jason Momoa’s booming presence. Now, with both the original and its 2023 sequel available, here’s a clear look at who played whom — and what’s changed between the two movies.

Number of main cast members (original film): 8 ·
Release date of Aquaman (2018): December 21, 2018 ·
Release date of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023): December 22, 2023 ·
Director of both films: James Wan ·
Box office revenue (original film): $1.148 billion

Before comparing the two films directly, the box office figures tell part of the story. The sequel’s drop of more than 60% from the original reflects a shifting DC landscape, but the cast remained largely intact — a key reason the franchise held together.

What is the full cast list for the Aquaman film (2018)?

Main cast and characters

• Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman — the half-Atlantean hero
• Amber Heard as Mera — princess of Xebel and Arthur’s ally
• Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius / Ocean Master — Arthur’s half-brother and the present King of Atlantis
• Nicole Kidman as Atlanna — Arthur’s mother and former queen
• Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko — Atlantean council member and mentor to Arthur
• Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus — ruler of Xebel
• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as David Kane / Black Manta — revenge-driven pirate
• Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry — Arthur’s human father

Supporting roles and cameos

• Ludi Lin as Captain Murk — Atlantean commando
• Julie Andrews as the voice of Karathen — the colossal sea creature (revealed post-release; Entertainment Weekly)
• Kaan Guldur as young Arthur Curry (uncredited) — flashback appearance (Wikipedia)
• Michael Beach as Jesse Kane — Black Manta’s father (uncredited)

Casting process insights

• Jason Momoa was the first actor cast, making a cameo in Batman v Superman (2016) before his solo film (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Director James Wan specifically wanted actors who could handle both drama and physical action
• Julie Andrews’ voice role was kept secret until the film’s release

The implication: Wan’s casting strategy prioritised actors who could sell both royal dignity and underwater brawling, giving the film a surprising emotional weight beneath its visual spectacle.

Who are the main cast members in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)?

Returning cast vs new additions

• Jason Momoa returns as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
• Patrick Wilson returns as Orm / Ocean Master
• Amber Heard returns as Mera
• Nicole Kidman returns as Atlanna
• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II returns as Black Manta, now the main antagonist
• Randall Park joins as Dr. Stephen Shin — a marine biologist with an obsessive interest in Atlantis
• Martin Short joins as the voice of Kingfish
• Jani Zhao joins as Stingray
• Vincent Regan joins as Atlan — the first king of Atlantis, replacing Graham McTavish

What this means: the sequel kept its core intact and strategically added new actors to expand the world. For viewers, the continuity is a strength — you won’t need a scorecard to follow who’s who.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprises his role as David Kane / Black Manta, now wielding the trident of Atlan and serving as the primary villain. His character’s arc deepens from a simple revenge quest in the first film to a full-blown anti-Atlantean vendetta in the sequel.

Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin

Randall Park brings comic relief as the conspiracy-theorist scientist Dr. Stephen Shin, a character from the comics who believes Atlantis exists. His appearance in the sequel was confirmed via IMDb’s full cast listing.

Does Amber Heard appear in the Aquaman film cast?

Amber Heard’s role as Mera

Amber Heard portrays Mera, the princess of Xebel and Arthur Curry’s love interest. She appears in both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).

Controversies and casting status

Despite legal battles between Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp, Warner Bros. retained her for the sequel. Her role was reduced compared to the original film, but she remained in the final cut.

Confirmed appearances in both films

• Aquaman (2018): Heard has significant screen time as Mera, including the iconic trench‑coat scene
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023): Heard appears, though reports indicate her role was trimmed

The trade-off: Keeping Heard avoided a disruptive recast, but the reduced role reflects the studio’s careful navigation of public sentiment.

Is Julie Andrews part of the Aquaman film cast?

Rumored casting of Julie Andrews

Yes — and no. Julie Andrews is indeed in the cast, but only as the voice of Karathen in the first film. She does not appear on screen, and she is absent from the sequel. The rumor that she might join a future film remains unconfirmed (Entertainment Weekly).

Official cast list clarification

Rotten Tomatoes and TV Guide both list Andrews as “Karathen (voice)” in the 2018 film.

Origin of the rumor

The rumor likely stems from Andrews’ surprise cameo being kept secret until a month before release. Entertainment Weekly broke the story on November 23, 2018, calling it a “secret role.” Since then, speculation has persisted that she might return — but as of 2025, no official announcement has been made.

The pattern: Andrews’ one-off vocal cameo generated outsized speculation precisely because it was kept secret. Without a sequel appearance or official word on a third film, the rumor will likely fade.

Who directed the Aquaman film and who plays young Arthur?

Director James Wan’s role

James Wan directed both Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). Known primarily for horror (Saw, The Conjuring), Wan pivoted to superhero spectacle with a distinct visual style — underwater action shot with dry‑for‑wet techniques and a color palette that pops.

Young Arthur Curry casting

• Kaan Guldur played young Arthur Curry (uncredited) in the 2018 film (Wikipedia)
• The sequel does not feature a young Arthur flashback, so no recast was needed

Other key behind‑the‑scenes figures

• David Leslie Johnson‑McGoldrick and Will Beall co‑wrote the screenplay for both films
• Rupert Gregson‑Williams composed the score for the 2018 film

What this means: Wan’s direction gave Aquaman a signature look that set it apart from other DCEU entries, even though the sequel didn’t match the original’s box office haul. His consistent creative hand helped retain the cast across both films.

What the cast says about the franchise

“I always felt Jason was born to play this role. He has that physicality, but also a warmth and humor that Arthur needs.”

— James Wan, director, on casting Jason Momoa

“Coming back for the second one felt like coming home. I love this character and the world we built.”

— Jason Momoa, actor, on reprising his role

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of this. Mera is a warrior woman in every sense.”

— Amber Heard, actress, on playing Mera

For fans of the DCEU, the Aquaman cast represents one of the most stable ensembles across any superhero series. With seven of eight original actors returning for the sequel, the franchise maintained a continuity that many other comic-book films lost. The big unknown — whether a third film will ever happen — hangs on Warner Bros.’ new DC direction. For viewers invested in Arthur Curry’s story, the cast remains intact and ready to dive back in if the studio greenlights another voyage. Jason Momoa’s commitment to the role has been the constant that held the franchise together through studio transitions and public controversies.

For readers who enjoyed this breakdown, similar cast deep dives are available for Thor: Love and Thunder – Ratings, Box Office & Cast and Cast of Nosferatu 2024: Actors, Characters & Release Info.

For a detailed breakdown of every actor and character, see the full cast of Aquaman.

Frequently asked questions

For UK and Irish readers curious about the full cast, the key takeaway is that both films share a remarkably consistent line‑up. Whether you’re a DC completest or just checking who played whom, the list above covers every major player — from Jason Momoa’s kingly Aquaman to Julie Andrews’ surprise vocal cameo.