Aquaman producer confirms long-established rumor about Amber Heard and Jason Momoa

Hollywood Exec Explains Amber Heard’s Role in Aquaman Sequel

A Hollywood executive has finally addressed what many Aquaman fans had speculated for some time: the decision to recast Amber Heard in her role as Mera in the Aquaman sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The controversy surrounding her participation in the film was widely discussed, particularly following her high-profile defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

Heard first portrayed the DC Comics character Mera in 2018’s Aquaman, alongside Jason Momoa, who played the title role of Arthur Curry. While the film received mixed reviews, it was still a commercial success and earned enough at the box office to greenlight a sequel. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was set to reunite Momoa and Heard, but speculation quickly swirled around her role in the new film.

Behind-the-Scenes Drama: Heard’s Role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

During the defamation trial, Heard herself spoke out about her involvement in the sequel. She revealed that she fought hard to remain in the film, claiming that Warner Bros. and the Aquaman team were initially reluctant to keep her on. According to Heard, she received multiple versions of the script, with significant changes that resulted in her character being reduced.

“I fought hard to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film,” Heard testified. “I was given a script and then given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in it—scenes that depicted my character and another character, without giving any spoilers away, two characters fighting with one another.”

Heard suggested that much of her role had been cut down significantly, leaving her with far fewer scenes in the movie. However, former DC Studios president Walter Hamada pushed back on the idea that Heard’s role was reduced due to her legal issues with Depp. He claimed that the decision to minimize her screen time wasn’t related to the trial at all, but rather to a lack of chemistry between her and Jason Momoa.

Hamada Weighs In on Amber Heard’s Screen Chemistry with Momoa

Hamada addressed the controversy during a deposition, explaining that the real reason for the reduced focus on Mera was the on-screen dynamic between her and Momoa. “They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada said. “The reality is, it’s not uncommon in movies for two leads to not have chemistry.” This lack of on-screen chemistry was something that many fans and critics had noticed, and it became a point of discussion on social media.

One Aquaman fan on Twitter remarked, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review: Amber Heard only has a few lines, the audience dislikes her, and the tension/lack of chemistry between her and Jason Momoa translated to the screen.” While this might have been a subjective opinion, the sentiment was echoed by others who felt that the chemistry between the two characters fell flat.

While Hamada acknowledged that filmmakers can sometimes use “movie magic” and editing to make relationships seem more compelling on screen, he admitted that it takes a great deal of effort to make that work when the actors themselves don’t have a natural chemistry. Despite the challenges, Heard ultimately returned for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but her presence was noticeably diminished in the final cut.

Reception of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama and mixed reactions to Heard’s performance, the movie itself received a warm reception from audiences, with the film scoring 81% on Rotten Tomatoes’ “Popcornometer,” which reflects fan sentiment. Critics, however, were less impressed, with the film earning a rather poor 34% rating from professional reviewers.

Although Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was generally well-received by fans, the film’s critics seemed to focus more on its uneven pacing and lack of depth in some character relationships, including the dynamic between Mera and Arthur Curry.

Amber Heard’s Other Roles in the DC Universe

In addition to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Amber Heard also reprised her role as Mera in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021). While her part in that film was smaller compared to some of the other major characters, it was still a notable appearance for the actress, particularly given the long-standing interest in her portrayal of the character.

Despite the controversies surrounding her personal life, Heard’s role in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) remains a part of her acting legacy. Whether or not Mera will continue to be a key figure in future DCEU films is uncertain, especially with the ongoing changes within the studio and the potential for recasting or new story directions.

The Future of Amber Heard in the DCEU

With the DC universe undergoing major shifts, including the leadership changes with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios, many fans are wondering if Amber Heard’s portrayal of Mera will remain a staple of the franchise or if the character will be recast in future installments. At this point, it remains unclear whether Mera will continue to appear in the DCEU, or if the filmmakers will opt for a fresh start with new actors.

Regardless, Heard’s involvement in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has drawn significant attention, particularly in light of the ongoing conversation about her legal battles and the public’s perception of her career. While her role in the sequel may have been reduced, it’s clear that the impact of her portrayal of Mera still lingers in the minds of fans.

As for the future of the Aquaman franchise, all eyes will be on how the DCEU continues to evolve under its new leadership—and whether Mera, in her current form, will be a part of it.