ORLANDO, Fla. _ Aquaman now has a home on dry land in Central Florida. A figure of the DC Comics superhero, portrayed on the big screen by Jason Momoa, now stands in Madame Tussauds Orlando, the wax-figure attraction on International Drive.
The figure is a replica of Momoa, star of the "Aquaman" film that arrives in theaters on Dec. 21. It's decked out in a costume that matches the new look of the film character.
In Orlando, Aquaman is the star of the final scene of the Justice League: A Call for Heroes exhibit that debuted earlier this year. Visitors can grasp the character's trident to activate special effects including a swelling soundtrack, splashy projections and a light misting of water.
The character is lunging forward, holding the trident (also a replica from the upcoming film). His costume is a shiny, golden orange top plus silver-gray leggings and green gloves and boots. Pull his hair back a bit and you can see one of Momoa's tattoos on the neck. The costume is textured, and, as with all Tussauds figures, it's OK for guests to touch them.
The special effects trigger easily _ a graze of the finger onto the trident, really _ although using two hands makes for a better photo. In the story, this enables Madame Tussauds Orlando visitors to help defeat DC super villain Lex Luthor. The exhibit opened with Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman already in action.
The Aquaman replica made the rounds before landing at Tussauds. It was on the floor of IAAPA Expo at the Orlando County Convention Center last month before making the media circuit in New York, where Momoa came face-to-wax-face with the figure.
"That was surreal. ... I kind of want a twin now," he said of the encounter with his wax self during an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
The figure was in the making for six months, created by a Tussauds team in London at a production cost of about $300,000, Tussauds says.
A similar figure was being installed at Madame Tussauds Sydney in Australia last week.
For tickets or more information, go to madametussauds.com/orlando.
