Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Decoding the Credits Scene and Its Implications for DC's Future
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ends with a credits scene that feels less like a setup for the next big crossover and more like a victory lap, with Orm finally getting his “surface world” moment. It starts as a quick joke callback, then turns into a full-on gag about what Orm thinks is disgusting, until it becomes the thing he can’t stop craving.
Here’s the complicated part, Orm is literally freed from a desert jail, surrounded by a harsh environment that is about as Atlantean-unfriendly as it gets. During the hunt for David Kane, aka Black Manta, Aquaman needles Orm about the surface world, selling him burgers, beer, and tacos like they’re treasures. Then Aquaman goes for the ultimate prank, tricking Orm into eating a cockroach and watching him react like it’s a crime scene.
By the time the credits roll, Orm’s upgraded his taste buds, and he’s adding a crushed cockroach to his burger like it’s a signature topping.
Aquaman’s desert-jail rescue of Orm is funny on its own, but the cockroach prank is what turns it into a full character moment.
The film's credits scene, a humorous callback to an earlier joke, features Aquaman freeing his brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) from a desert jail, a harsh environment for Atlanteans. During their quest to combat David Kane, a.k.a. Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Aquaman teases Orm about his disdain for the surface world, highlighting the delights of hamburgers, beer, and tacos.
In a humorous twist, Aquaman tricks Orm into eating a cockroach, convincing him it's a delicacy.
The whole thing gets even messier in the middle of their Black Manta mission, because Aquaman is teasing Orm while they’re trying to stop David Kane.
This scene culminates in the credits with Orm finally enjoying a burger and beer, only to add a crushed cockroach to his meal, much to his satisfaction. This moment not only reflects Orm's changed perspective toward the surface world but also hints at the end of this iteration of Aquaman.
Unlike typical credits scenes that set up future movies, this one leans toward humor and closure, with no looming threats or hints at another big adventure for Aquaman.
And when Orm finally reaches burger-and-beer peace, he still can’t resist the crushed cockroach, which makes the credits feel like closure instead of a teaser.
That’s exactly why the DC shakeup under James Gunn and Peter Safran hits harder, especially with the underperforming sequels casting doubt on where Aquaman goes next.
The recent appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios, along with the announcement of a cinematic overhaul, casts doubt on the future of current DC heroes, including Aquaman.
With the sequels to "Shazam" and "The Flash" underperforming, the prospects for these characters' return seem uncertain. "Aquaman 2's" credits scene, focusing on a light-hearted moment rather than setting up a sequel, further suggests a possible conclusion to this chapter of the DC Universe.
Orm didn’t just change his mind about the surface world, he made it his new diet.
For another gut-punch on set, read about Todd Meadows' mother confronting Deadliest Catch producers.
