Warner Bros tried to create immediate CinemaCon sparks by plugging DC offerings Shazam! and Aquaman. There was behind the scenes footage on Shazam!, which stars Zachary Levi, and James Wan took the stage to introduce an Aquaman teaser with some unfinished VFX.

Footage showed the underseas kingdom of Atlantis, replete with swimming fish people — some riding sea horses — and futuristic submarines. Aquaman is challenged by his brother (Patrick Wilson) for the throne (sounds a lot like Black Panther), with Amber Heard’s Mera begging Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman character, “Unless you help us, millions will die.” The WB release is the event title this Christmas on December 21, and luckily there isn’t a Star Wars movie in the holiday corridor to stunt its growth.

The humorous irreverence that has been missing from DC disappointments like Justice League was on full display as Will Arnett hosted the Warner Bros presentation, before the clip was shown. “You’re the best f’n Batman,” Momoa told Arnett. “Let’s keep the F-bombs to a minimum,” The Arrested Development actor answered.

“You went from Game of Thrones to Aquaman — does it feel good to work in something that’s more realistic?” Arnett asked Momoa.

James Wan, left, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Will Arnett and Jason Momoa REX/Shutterstock

Momoa said, “I was raised in Hawaii and raised in Iowa and that couldn’t be more different than Atlantis and land,” said the actor, before sarcastically crying, “No one loves me!”

Arnett: “Have you ever wanted to play a character who wears a shirt?”

When it came to introducing Wilson, Arnett said, “This is your fifth collaboration with James Wan, and I speak for everyone when I say, ‘Get a room!’ ” Wilson emphasized that the great thing about Wan was “the characters and relationships” in his movies.

Prior to Aquaman there was a quick DC sizzle reel with bits of New Line’s Shazam! — highlighted by Levi in the suit, dancing on a Big-like piano. The glimpse was too brief to really get a feel for the film.

Also, Patty Jenkins confirmed that Wonder Woman 2 is set in the 1980s, a detail that was very nuanced in the sizzle reel.