We now know who will portray the main character of villain Black Manta in Aquaman.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, it will be Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who starred in The Get Down on Netflix. The studio and directors have been testing the role over the past two weeks. 

This is a big move for Abdul-Mateen, who was also a finalist for the role of young Lando in Star Wars, which went to Donald Glover. 

The super-villain Black Manta was created in 1967 as a treasure-hunting foe to the superhero. In the comics, a struggle between Black Manta and Aquaman and his father led to the latter's death due to a heart attack. In retaliation for his father's death, Aquaman hunts down Black Manta and accidentally kills his father. This sets off a constantly-raveling chain of hero/villain history between the two.

Black Manta has the ability to breathe underwater through a powerful suit, can survive the pressure of the deep ocean and can fire deadly energy blasts from his mask. 

The rest of the Aquaman cast includes Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Amber Heard as his love-interest Mera, as well as Willem Defoe and Patrick Wilson. 

The plot synopsis states that the title character will be "caught between a surface world constantly ravaging the sea and the undersea Atlanteans, who are ready to lash out in revolt."