The Mera depicter was initially not picked up for the sequel because of 'chemistry concerns' with Jason Momoa, according to a new report regarding the actress' upcoming trial with her ex-husband.
- Apr 12, 2022
AceShowbiz - Amber Heard's fans may rejoice that the actress didn't lose her role in DCEU amid her legal battle with her ex Johnny Depp, but her return for "Aquaman 2" wasn't a smooth sailing. Though Warner Bros. never responded to a petition to remove her from the franchise, the actress almost wasn't brought back for the sequel.
According to Matthew Belloni at Puck, "Warner Bros. initially declined to pick up Heard's option for 'Aquaman 2', I'm told, despite the first film grossing $1.1 billion." As for the reason why, Belloni cited a deposition given by President of DC Films Walter Hamada that may be introduced at the upcoming defamation trial between Heard and her ex-husband Depp.
"Hamada is said to have testified that Heard was initially not picked up because there were concerns about her chemistry with star Jason Momoa," Belloni reported. "Indeed, the duo have publicly referenced issues on set during the first film. But Heard's team believed the Depp scandal was the real cause of the reluctance."
While WB eventually brought Heard back for "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom", she reportedly couldn't get a raise, which her team claimed was the result of the scandal involving her relationship with Depp. Belloni reported Heard and her people believe this lack of fee increase commensurate with Momoa is a "direct financial consequence of the Depp lies."
Heard has been entangled in a legal battle with Depp following their split in 2016 and their divorce in 2017. In early 2019, he sued his ex-wife for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post which was published in December 2018, in which she detailed her experiences of abusive relationships.
On Saturday, April 9, the 35-year-old actress informed her 4.1 million followers on Instagram that she'll stay away from social media during the trial that kicked off on Monday in Virginia. "I'm going to go offline for the next several weeks," so Heard announced. "As you may know, I'll be in Virginia where I face my ex-husband Johnny Depp in court." She added, "…hopefully, when this case concludes, I can move on and so can Johnny."
The "Aquaman" sequel is set to be released on March 17, 2023.
