Aquaman actor calls superhero movies 'CLOWN WORK'

Matrix Resurrections and Candyman star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has likened acting in superhero movies like Aquaman to "clown work".

The 36 year old has starred in critically acclaimed films like The Trial of the Chicago 7 and First Match, but his career has been a combination of serious pictures like that with big budget epics like the first Aquaman and Matrix Resurrections.

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Commercially, the biggest movie of his career so far, by far, is Aquaman in which he played supervillain Black Manta.

He is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Speaking to Vulture, he contrasted appearing in comic book movies to his other work.

"Everything should be about getting to the truth. But sometimes you get to know which movie or genre you're in," Abdul-Mateen said.

"Something like Aquaman, that's clown work. Aquaman is not The Trial of the Chicago 7. You have got to get over yourself.

"In order to survive (as an actor) and to do it well, you have to play the game and then be crafty about when you want to surprise the audience, the director, or yourself with a little bit of 'Wow, I didn't expect to see a Chekhovian thing or August Wilson and Aquaman, but I did.'"

Black Manta back for Aquaman 2

Abdul-Mateen has teased that we might see some more layers to Black Manta in Aquaman 2, as well as perhaps a more prominent role in the plot.

"I think in the next Aquaman, I really wanted to put more personality into the character for us to sort of get to know him in some private moments," he explained.

"I wanted to see (Black Manta) struggle with some things, then to see a bit more of his personality and character. Also, to see what it looks like for him to be in charge of something. So we get to see a little bit more of his leadership style, a little bit more of his personality in this one. And he's back for more, no doubt, in a big way."