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Yahya Abdul‑Mateen II: “Aquaman? Pure Clown Play”
Young actor Yahya Abdul‑Mateen, now 36, has leapt from philosophical cyber‑thrillers like The Matrix Resurrections to gritty courtroom dramas such as The Trial of the Chicago 7. He’s a performer who likes a good challenge – that’s why he shakes off the “hero‑movie” comfort zone and pushes into the world of the absurd.
Vulture Interview: “People Just Need Truth, Not Big‑Screen Capes”
In a chat with Vulture, Yahya cut to the chase:
“Everything’s about finding the truth. But you also have to know what type of film you’re in.”
“Aquaman is pure clown work. It’s not the drama of The Trial of the Chicago 7. Get past the cape and…whoops!”
“To survive as an actor you have to play the game, then surprise – the director, the audience, even yourself. Throw in some Chekhovian twist or an August Wilson vibe and suddenly you’re in a dark‑sea drama – no wonder people are surprised.”
The Super‑Villain Side of Yahya
- Black Manta – The water‑borne menace of the Aquaman franchise
- He’s talking about bringing even more menace (and personality) to the role in Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, slated for next year.
“More Personality, Less Ray‑Borne”
Yahya gave a sneak peek into the sequel’s character development:
“I want Black Manta to be more than just a villain on the surface. It’s about his private moments, his struggles, and his leadership style.”
“The new film will let us see him in command. Props — swimsuit not included, of course.”
The actor sounds excited to dive into this darker territory, promising that Aquaman’s next adventure will see its villain almost as a “character study” and not merely a comic‑book trope. Believe it or not, even the super‑villain may get a moment of redemption within the watery kingdom.
