Interview: Horror maestro and ‘Aquaman’ director James Wan

James Wan discusses the ‘Aquaman’ sequel, working with Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson, and the inspiration behind his scary movies

A household name for creating some of the world’s best horror films, Malaysian-born director James Wan made a pitstop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently to promote his latest film, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom. The Aquaman sequel, which stars Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry/Aquaman) and Patrick Wilson (Orm Marius/Ocean Master), is said to be one of the most anticipated sequels of 2023.

It was a momentous return to Malaysia for Los Angeles-based Wan, who was born in Kuching, Sarawak, as he hadn’t been back in the country in 35 years. During the press conference, he revealed that among the first few things he did was indulge in his favourite Malaysian fare. “I ordered laksa, Hainanese chicken rice and of course, I ordered some durians,” the Asia's Most Influential honouree enthused.

Speaking to Tatler after the press conference, Wan discussed the Aquaman sequel, working with Momoa and Wilson, the inspiration behind his scary movies, genres he’d like to explore, and more.

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In every culture and race, there’s some shape or form of supernatural. For your horror works, which one do you draw the most inspiration from?

It’s interesting, I do get asked that. I definitely... and I’m not just saying this but I do find myself to be quite heavily inspired by sort of the Asian culture and Asian ghost stories that I grew up with, hearing them from my grandparents, aunties and uncles. They inform me a fair bit when I make my scary films and the key for me is trying to find out the best way to kind of convey the feeling I get when I hear these stories because they scare me. It’s like, how do I make it scary for an audience watching it? It’s a mixture of the Asian flavour that meets that Hollywood style of filmmaking. It’s about finding that balance.

You’re a horror maestro but you’ve also done action and superhero films. Can you explain what that shift was like?

I would say in terms of the philosophy of filmmaking, not much is different. I always say that it doesn’t matter if I’m making a movie in the horror genre or a big action fantasy film, the spirit of storytelling is the same. It’s about finding the things that feel real and grounded and that people can relate to. But of course, on the surface, visually, I have more toys to play with! I get a bigger budget to play with and I can create set pieces that are more fantastical. And so that, to me, is the big difference. But in terms of the process of storytelling, they’re very similar.

Are there any specific genres or themes you’re eager to tackle that you haven’t had the chance to explore yet?

I know I joke about this but I would love to make a romantic comedy one day. I feel like in my action adventure movies, I do touch on that a little bit, those themes. But it’d be nice to do something that’s just an old-school romantic movie. You know, I’d love to do that maybe one day, but I just have to find the right project to do that.

Above Jason Momoa surprises the media with a special video message at the ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ press tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What do you look for when you’re casting people for your projects?

That’s a good question. The thing I look for the most is if that actor can ground the character and play it in a way that still makes them relatable. Momoa has a larger-than-life quality about him and he’s playing this character that’s so larger than life, but there’s still something very real about him that’s obviously what people kind of love about his personality. It’s that classic thing of like... casting someone who already has a bit of that personality in the character because then, they bring themselves into that role. I think that’s very important because then I can take them and put them into whatever kind of situations that they’re in and it doesn’t matter how crazy the situation is because they feel grounded, and you as an audience watching it will feel grounded to them because of them.

What was the biggest challenge in making Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom?

Well, I would say the big challenge is trying to live up to people’s expectations of the first film. You know, it’s great to have a first movie that’s successful and beloved, but then that makes the sequel with a lot more pressure on it. It was important for me to just put my head down and just focus on making the film and telling the story I wanted to tell.

What’s the reason behind the strong emphasis on the brotherhood and fatherhood elements in Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom?

It was very important for Momoa’s character growth in this one to be a father now. He’s married, he’s a husband, he’s a dad, but he’s also the King of Atlantis as well. It’s a funny dynamic to see him go from dealing with politics in Atlantis and trying to rule as a king but then intercut that with him back home, he’s trying to change the diapers, feed the baby, and stuff like that. I just think it’s a funny sort of back-and-forth. It’s also important for Momoa as well because being a father means so much to him and that part is very crucial for us. Ultimately, the family dynamic is even bigger in this one. All Arther ever wanted to do in the first film was to find his family, to try and find the people that he belonged with and in this one, he has to work with his brother with whom he doesn’t get along, and set their differences aside to try and come together for a greater cause. I do think that helps to kind of lean into the sibling dynamic even more. As they say, blood is thicker than water and we get to kind of see that in this.

Above The trailer for James Wan‘s ‘Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom’, starring Jason Momoa as the titular character Arthur Curry/Aquaman and Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius/Ocean Master

Would you mind sharing some anecdotes about working and interacting with Momoa and Wilson?

Because the movie is so complex, there are lots of visual effects, stunts, action and stuff like that, so... I find that, for me, it’s most enjoyable when I get to work with them. You know, they play siblings and they hate each other but they have to get along. It’s funny to see them do that to each other in real life. Sometimes they like to give each other shit throughout the filming process and I love to just watch it from a distance.

What are you looking forward to in the year 2024?

Personally, I'm looking to sleep (laughs) and find the time to just kind of relax and do nothing. My family is coming from Australia to visit me in Los Angeles and I can’t wait to hang out with them into the new year. The main thing for me for 2024 is… I want to focus on my production company, Atomic Monster. That’s what I really want to do. When I’m directing, it’s very hard to be producing at the same time because directing takes up so much of my time. Now that I’ve finished directing, I can kind of focus on that. We have a lot of projects in development that we want to produce.

What do you hope for the next generation of Asian filmmakers coming right behind you?

I just... I want them to be able to make the movies they want to make, get the opportunity to do it, and then it would be great for us to get to a point where finally they’re not just seen as Asian filmmakers. They’re just like any other filmmakers, right? People will talk about them in the same way they talk about Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, you know, like whomever. And that’s what we want to be working towards.

James Wan at the ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ press tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Above James Wan during the meet and greet session at the ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ press tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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