Expendables star Dolph Lundgren is joining the cast of Aquaman. It has been reported that the Swedish action hero will play a key role in the upcoming DC adventure, which is set for a 2018 release.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lundgren will play the role of King Nereus. The character is a relatively new addition to the DC universe, first appearing in a 2013 issue of the Aquaman comic book. Nereus is an exiled Atlantian and is the ruler of the kingdom of Xebel. He believes that Aquaman’s bride Mera should be by his side, and wishes to kill the King of Atlantis.
Lundgren is best known for the three Expendables movies, and as well as his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. He also starred in the Universal Soldier series, and was the first actor to play the Punisher, in the 1989 movie about the Marvel antihero.
He joins Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera. Also starring are Patrick Wilson as Aquaman’s villainous half-brother Orm Marius, Nicole Kidman as Aquaman’s mother, and Willem Dafoe as his adviser, Dr. Vulko.
The film is directed by James Wan, who previously made Furious 7 and The Conjuring movies. Wan recently posted images of some spectacular potential locations for the film. It is set to start production in May.
Both Momoa and Heard will feature in this year’s Justice League prior to Aquaman. Last month, director Zack Snyder revealed some vfx test footage of Aquaman’s underwater lair–check it out here.
Aquaman hits theaters on October 5, 2018.