Jason Momoa, Aquaman, and the Justice League Movie Lineup

If this latest report is to be believed, Jason Momoa is playing Aquaman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Momoa's name has been coming up in connection with this movie since December (via reports in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety), with speculation on which part he would play including characters as seemingly unlikely as Hawkman, Lobo, and Doomsday. 

But now, Drew McWeeny at HitFixseems quite certain that Momoa is playing Aquaman, indicating that "Zack Snyder has already finalized designs for the character so shooting can take place soon." Still, this comes in the wake of recent (and vocal) denials by the Game of Thrones star that he's involved with the movie in any capacity.

"You know what, I think it started when people said 'What superhero would you play?' And I'd say Batman and Superman, they'd be awesome together. Then people were like, 'He's in Batman vs. Superman!' I'm like, I really like Lobo. 'HE'S LOBO!!' And then some asshole was like 'He's Aquaman!' And I'm like - what did you just call me? Where the f*** do you pull out Aquaman? Seriously. And then it shows up on the internet. Not that it's a bad rumor."

To be fair, Momoa's above comments weren't said in anger, and he's clearly had a sense of humor about the whole process, even telling MTV News' Josh Horowitz that "it's just a rumor, I swear...you can punch me in the face [if I'm lying]."

Of course, this wouldn't be the first time that an actor in a geek-centric film has publicly denied that he's playing a particular role. One only has to remember last year's lead up to Star Trek Into Darkness with Benedict Cumberbatch's repeated denials (certainly mandated from above) that he was playing Khan. 

Denials aside, there's enough smoke here to indicate that Mr. Momoa is at least in negotiations to appear in this (and potentially future) superhero movies. There certainly appears to be room in his current schedule to shoot what will likely only be a scene or two for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice before taking on a larger role in the Justice League movie.

We've reached out to Mr. Momoa's representatives, but have yet to receive a response.

As for whether he's actually playing Aquaman, this is where things get murky. While the HitFixreport is quite certain that Momoa is playing Aquaman in Batman v. Superman, Nikki Finke's still unconfirmed scoop about the future of the DC movie universe only mentions Aquaman in connection with the Justice League movie. This doesn't mean anything, as several things in Finke's report don't quite add up.

[related article: Warner Bros. Finally Ready to Lean on the Justice League]

For their part, DC Comics have been doing their very best to position Aquaman as a more viable player in their universe in an attempt to counter public perception of Aquaman as a somewhat useless character. Aquaman has had a continued presence in the high profile rebooted Justice League comic that kicked off DC's New 52 initiative and his own excellent ongoing series (which, for much of its run, has been written by Batman v. Superman executive producer, Geoff Johns). Aquaman's presence on the excellent Justice League Unlimited animated series of several years back as an almost "Conan of the sea" would certainly fit Momoa's screen presence, as well.

If this excerpt from a casting grid leaked by The Wrap's Jeff Sneider is to be believed, the Martian Manhunter is also going to be part of the team (as well as Maxwell Lord, the villain of the aborted George Miller Justice League movie from several years back). 

No Martian Manhunter in JUSTICE LEAGUE? Not according to this agency grid, which lists DARKSEID as the villain... pic.twitter.com/lLwFwkXLkv

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) June 12, 2014

So, based on what we already know about the heroes appearing in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as these other reports, your Justice League movie lineup may very well be this: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter. Other than the Martian Manhunter, that's the same lineup from the New 52 reboot of the Justice League, a team that first formed in order to defend the planet from Darkseid.

We expect Warner Bros. will clear up most of this at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. We'll be there to report on it when it happens.

You can read everything we know about Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justiceright here. 

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