Warner Bros.’ Aquaman, directed by James Wan, reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) in an action-packed adventure that features breathtaking locales, underwater worlds, and supernatural characters.

To deliver its visual spectacle, the production VFX team led by VFX Supervisor Kelvin McIlwain, VFX Producer Kimberly LoCascio and Warner Bros. EVP of VFX Anne Kolbe enlisted an arsenal of artistry.

Method Studios handled two of the movie’s key sequences, with Method’s Australian team creating the pursuit of Arthur and Mera (Amber Heard) through a Sicilian seaside village – as well as the village itself.

The team crafted sweeping 360-degree views of the sea and landscape and extended environments with rooftops, architectural materials and creeping vegetation.

Artists created a digital double for Black Manta and smoothed out the action as commandos fight hand-to-hand with Mera and Arthur and sprint across the rooftops of the city. The team also created digital full body and face replacements of stunt performers for Arthur, Mera and Murk. The sequence includes crystalline aquatic creatures and a spectacular fluid simulation that turns wine into weapons.

“Our work was effectively a chase sequence with two parallel stories so there was a tremendous amount of ground to cover, both visually and in terms of the story,” said Method VFX Supervisor Josh Simmonds.

“I love that we were able to showcase the beauty of the Mediterranean coastline with the initial aerial shot and realise one of the movie’s lighter moments with Mera conjuring aquatic animals in a fountain before Murk and Black Manta start destroying everything.”

Method replaced and augmented the water from the practically-filmed fountain. The water creatures – dolphins, a tortoise and a seahorse, were stylised to appear as if they were made of crystal, changing from liquid to glass, sparkling as they arc and dissolving as they land.

Artists also designed Black Manta’s ‘Manta Ray’ effect, and used digital water and fluid simulations to create the viscous-looking CG visors of the attacking Atlantean soldiers, which Wan wanted to have the appearance of solid water, but not ice.

See more of Method’s Aquaman work here, and watch the trailer here.