“Aquaman 2” has had one of the most contentious theatrical journeys in recent memory. Several news stories have come out in recent years about how the movie went through numerous reshoots. It didn’t help that the film apparently wasn’t getting good test screenings, with reports people of people walking out of free screenings. Some blamed Amber Heard at the time because of her ugly legal drama with Johnny Depp. However, a new cause for individuals leaving early may have emerged that makes far more sense.
The trailer for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” shows Arthur Curry’s (Jason Momoa) new responsibilities as a husband and father. He has a newborn child, which makes comic book lovers worried. In the comics, Black Manta murders Aquababy and some feel that this story will be adapted into the film, especially with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta playing a more important role.
Given the Aquababy story and multiple reports of “Aquaman 2” test audience screening walkouts, some have suggested that the moment in which Aquababy dies was the true reason people left. It is understandable that the killing of an innocent infant would be too much for some, as reported by ScreenGeek and CBR. But, as of now, there’s no confirmation that Aquababy dies in the film or that the alleged walkouts were due to it if it occurs.
Several sources have mentioned claims of “Aquaman 2” test screen walkouts. Grace Randolph mentioned them in a Beyond the Trailer YouTube video, but she doesn’t explain why they might have occurred. This claim is supported by MyTimeToShineHello on X, formerly known as Twitter, who reposted a clip of Randolph discussing the walkouts with the statement, “That is correct.” So it appears that some individuals did leave early screenings of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”