Arthur
How is it that I can breathe underwater, but you can still drink me under the table?
Thomas
That's my superpower. [they laugh]
Tied for most-quoted character in Aquaman (2018): in 11 of its 37 quotes
Most scenes with: Mera (8), Atlanna (3), David Kane / Black Manta (2)
Scenes with Arthur
11 scenes
Arthur
I don't even know your name.
It's Y'Mera-Xebella-Challa. You may call me Mera.
Arthur
You're the guy from the sub.
That's right! But now I have Atlantean steel! [stabs Arthur] Call me... Black Manta!
You must forgive me, for everything.
Arthur
This happened because of me.
Not because of you. None of this is your fault.
Pilot
We're here!
Arthur
Hey! Is there anything nearby?
Pilot
Nothing but desert for hundreds of K's, mate!
Arthur
Nothing but desert.
He's wrong. [Rips door off and jumps out]
Pilot
Hey! What are you doing?!
Arthur
Wait! No!
Pilot
Oh... She just jumped! She didn't have a parachute!
Arthur
Redheads! You gotta love 'em. [Jumps out and falls down alongside Mera] Shit! Oh, you're crazier than I thought!
[Walking atop of a sand dune]
One of the tribes of Atlantis broke off and settled here when this region was still an inland sea. When the water dried up, they perished along with it.
Arthur
Perished? Yeah, that's terrific.
We're getting close now.
Arthur
Oh, yeah? Close to what? Dying of thirst?
Close to getting punched in the face!
Arthur
Look, Fight Club, I know you're new to how things work up here. Why don't you look around? We are lost. You see that over there? Hey, what is that? Nada. This place is a wasteland.
You're the one who calls this wasteland a home.
Arthur
This isn't my home! It's not like the whole surface looks like this!
Oh, no, of course not. You've also got disgusting cities whose sewers empty out into our ocean and whole mountains made out of trash. And, oh, you've got great factories that do nothing but belch out filth and melt ice caps.
Arthur
Okay. Point taken. Listen. Yeah, we got some idiots running the show, but we've got some good things too, all right? We got green forests and big mountains beautiful lakes. You'd love 'em. They're like little baby oceans.
Are you trying to provoke me?
Arthur
I'm just saying you cannot judge a place before you've even seen it.
You've judged Atlantis on far less.
Arthur
[Runs to Mera holding up tracker]
No. Would you just stop it with that? No. [Slaps it out of her hand] Your stupid Atlantean GPS just told you to jump out of an airplane over the middle of the desert, and now we are stranded. [Falls through sinkhole]
If you're the next true king, we're doomed. [Jumps in after him]
Arthur
That was awesome. Oh. Look what I found.
What you found?
Arthur
Yeah. Check this place out. This is badass!
This is the Hall of Armory. Where the legends say Atlan's trident was forged.
Arthur
I don't think they're legends anymore.
Vulko was right. It's real. [Walks up to hologram player and plugs in a cylinder] Huh. Noting.
Arthur
Of course it's not working. It's been sitting here collecting dust since before the Sahara was a desert. Man!
"Since before the Sahara was a desert."
Arthur
Thank you for repeating what I just said.
It's completely dried out. Let's just say you do your best thinking when you're not thinking at all. All right, now hold still.
Arthur
Hey. What are you doing?
We need water, and you're the closest source. Now, hold still.
Arthur
Hmm. Show-off. I could have just peed on it.
King Atlan.
In this trident resides the power of Atlantis. In the wrong hands, it would bring destruction. But in the hands of the true heir, it would unite all our kingdoms above and below. If you seek my power, you must prove your worth. Journey beyond the edge of the world to the Hidden Sea. Look inside the bottle for the charted path. Only in the hands of the true king can he truly see.
Hmm. We can't let Orm find this.
Arthur
Hey! Wait!
What?
Arthur
Shouldn't we have written it down first?
I memorized it. Didn't you?
Arthur
Oh, yeah. Totally.
What'd he just say?
Arthur
"Something something trident."
"Look inside the bottle for the charted path."
Arthur
It's our next stop.
Arthur
I'm starting to think you actually like these surface-dwellers.
It would be wrong to judge a place I've never seen before. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere.
Arthur
Well, apparently, it's just right up on the hill. A big old castle.
And I just learned something very interesting. You risked our lives based on something you read in a children's book?
Arthur
Wait, it's a book? How about that? Oh! I got it from the movie. Hablamos!
Arthur
What did the recording say, again?
"Journey beyond the edge of the world to the Hidden Sea. Look in the bottle for the charted path. Only in the hands of the true king can he truly see." Look in the bottle for the charted path."
Arthur
[Takes bottle from Mera and peers through]
Hmm. Oh, man.
What?
Arthur
Wow. That's awesome.
Arthur
But how do you know where to point it? Here, let me see. What was the last line?
"Only in the hands of the true king can he truly see."
Arthur
"Only in the hands of the true..." Marcus Agrippa. He was a great general, but he wasn't a king. Neither was Scipio.
How do you know all this stuff?
Arthur
Because of my pops. He made sure I knew my history. None of these guys are kings, except this guy. Romulus. First king of Rome. "Only in the hands of the true king can he truly see." [Puts bottle in statue's hand and peers through head] There it is. That's our heading.
What? Let me see. We did it! Oh!
Arthur
That's not bad for an imbecile, huh?
Not bad at all. [Statue explodes in front of them]
David Kane
"Loathsomeness waits and dreams in the deep, "and decay spreads over the tottering cities of men."
Arthur
Get back! [David Kane blasts him over a distance]
Arthur! [To Commando] I order you to stand down!
Commando
Princess Mera, you've been charged with high treason!
Arthur
[Black Manta walks up to Arthur]
Who the hell are you?!
David Kane
Maybe this will jog your memory! [extends a blade from his wrist and attacks]
Arthur
You're the guy from the sub.
Black Manta
That's right! [he kicks Arthur's leg out from under him, then stabs him in the shoulder] But now I have Atlantean steel! Call me "Black Manta." You thought you could walk away?
Arthur
I thought I told you not to make this a habit.
Black Manta
You can't run. You owe me blood!
Arthur
How'd you find me?
Black Manta
Your lady friend has people who like to keep tabs on her.
...
Black Manta
I'll show you the same mercy you showed my father. And gut you like the fish you are! [Arthur finishes off Black Manta by sending him down a cliff]
Arthur
[Arthur wakes up on a fishing boat with Mera playing the flute at the bow and he walks up to her]
Um... Did you steal a boat?
Are the boats at the marina not for public use?
Arthur
No, those belong to people.
Huh. Those were Orm's elite commandos. But the one who led them, he wasn't Atlantean. I've never seen him before.
Arthur
Yeah, I have. He and his father were pirates. And he blames me for his father's death.
They picked a dangerous line of trade. It's not your fault.
Arthur
That's not how it feels. It was up to me, and I let him die. I could've saved him, but I didn't. And now, I made an enemy, and he could have hurt you. And that would have been my fault.
Well, he's behind us now. It's what lies ahead that should concern us. The charted path leads to the Kingdom of the Trench.
Arthur
Are those the same creatures that killed my mother?
Yes. She was taken there and sacrificed to them. It's become a place of death.
Arthur
We know next to nothing about what's down there. We should turn back. We can still warn the surface. Try and prepare them for what's coming.
Turn back?!
Arthur
Look, I learned from a young age not to show weakness. Okay? I solve my problems with my anger and my fists. I'm a blunt instrument, and I'm damn good at it. But I've done nothing but get my ass kicked this whole trip. I'm no leader. I'm not a king. I do not work or play well with others.
You think you're unworthy to lead because you're of two different worlds. But that is exactly why you are worthy. I can see that now. You are the bridge between land and sea. The only question is... Can you? [Arthur looks at her with humbly]
Arthur.
Arthur
Mom?
King Orvax sacrificed me to the Trench, but I survived. I fought my way through as you did, and I ended up here.
Arthur
You've been here alone for 20 years?
Yes. Come. Sit here. You must forgive me. Forgive me for everything.
Arthur
This happened because you had me.
Not for having you. None of this is your fault. I made a choice. I had to leave... To save you, to save your father. Tell me. Tell me about him. Is he...
Arthur
He still walks to the end of that dock. Every morning. Every day. Waiting for you. Why didn't you ever come back?
Because the portal that brought you here won't let us return. The trident is the only way back. But it is guarded by the Karathen. The creature from our legends, it's real. It lies beyond the waterfall.
We'll go with you. We can fight it together.
No. It's too powerful. I've tried many times over the years. The creature will only allow the true king to pass. You're afraid.
Arthur
Yes.
Karathen
Good. You're ready. Atlantis has always had a king. Now, it needs something more. But what could be greater than a king? A hero. A king fights only for his nation. You fight for everyone. [Arthur goes through water fall and swims down tunnel]
Karathen
You do not belong here. I have guarded the trident against false kings since the beginning. And for a thousand years I have seen the greatest champions try and fail. But never have I sensed one as unworthy as you. You dare come here with your tainted mongrel blood to claim Atlantis' greatest treasure? So be it... [Slaps Arthur into columns] Half-breed. You thought yourself worthy? You thought yourself a king? You dishonor this place with your presence.
Arthur
[Karathen is about to slap Arthur with a flipper]
Stop! You're right. I am a half-breed mongrel. But I did not come here because I thought I was worthy. I know I'm not.
Karathen
You understand me?
Arthur
I do.
Karathen
No mortal has conversed with me since King Atlan. Who are you?
Arthur
I'm nobody. I came because I had no choice. I came to save my home and the people that I love. I came because the trident is their only hope. And if that's not good enough... Then screw you.
Karathen
No man has ever freed the trident from Atlan's grip. Should he deem you unworthy... Well, I haven't feasted in eons, and I am famished.
Remember, the Brine are powerful, savage brutes, but a swift assault aimed directly at their leadership will turn the tide.
Brine King
Death to the Atlantean hagfish! We will not bow to Atlantis. We're gonna give them a fight that they will never forget!
Commander
[Orm is about to finish off a crab commander]
No! We need him!
Join me or die!
Crab Commander
You expect me to address you as Your Highness?!
Not Your Highness. Call me... Ocean Master!
Crab Commander
You can take my army, you soft-bellied slug! But you will never have my allegiance!
So be it!
Commander
What the...
Nuidis Vulko
The king has risen.!
Attack!
There are too many casualties. We have to stop the fighting now. I'll find my father. But you must defeat Orm.
Arthur
And what if I can't?
Last time, he was in his element. This time, make him fight in yours.
Arthur
Um... What was the plan, again?
The plan is to not get killed.
Arthur
Yeah, good plan. Don't get killed.
Princess Ricou
The Trench! He commands the Trench!
Nereus
Impossible! Stand down! Let her pass.
Please, Father, he has the trident. I know you think this war is necessary, but Arthur is king by our most sacred law. And if you turn your back on that now, then the Atlantis you're fighting for is already dead.
Commander
It's true! The half-breed wields King Atlan's trident. He commands the sea!
Nereus
Then that half-breed is your king.
Vulko! Come on, he needs our help!
Vulko
We can't! Look. The people must bear witness.
That trident doesn't change what you are. A half-breed bastard. Atlantis will never accept you as its king.
Arthur
Well, then by bloodshed... Do the gods make known their will. [After fighting] Yield the throne. Yield it!
Finish it!
Arthur
Yield the throne!
Mercy is not our way.!
Arthur
Maybe you haven't noticed, brother... But I'm not one of you.
Do it! Kill me!
No! That is enough killing.
Mother?
Oh, my son.
It's a long story. I'll tell ya later. Come on! [Swims away]
I don't understand. We thought...
I know. Arthur saved me.
You're with him?
I am. You're both my children, and I love you so much. But you have been misguided. Your father taught you that there were two worlds. He was wrong. The land and the sea are one.
Vulko
My queen.
Vulko.
Vulko
Take him. But make sure he has a view. [Commanders take him away]
Arthur
When you're ready, let's talk.
People of Atlantis, today began in bloodshed, but let it end in joy. [Motioning to Arthur] I give you King Arthur of Atlantis.
Nereus
Hail to the king!
Combatants
[Repeatedly]
Hail to the king!
Arthur
So, what do I do now?
Be their king.
Arthur
Ooh. This is gonna be fun. [Kisses Mera's head]
Tom Curry
[Walking down steps from lighthouse to see Atlanna on the dock and they embrace in passionate hugging]
You came back. You're back.
Yes. Yes.
...
Voiceover Arthur
My father was a lighthouse keeper. My mother was a queen. They were never meant to meet... But their love saved the world. They made me what I am. A son of the land, and a king of the seas. I am the protector of the deep. I am... Aquaman.