Aquaman and the Last Kingdom, the highly anticipated movie, riddled with controversies, and swarming in a sea of alleged reshoots will be releasing soon. While its prequel became the highest-grossing movie for DC ever, the fate of this one seems to be clouded with skepticism. While there are several issues facing the movie, the casting of one of its lead star has led to a significant amount of rumors.
Amber Heard stars as Mera in the sequel, and after her infamous lawsuit the Aquaman sequel and its production has been surrounded with a lot of controversies and rumors. And so here are all the rumors around Heard that has affected the movie badly.
Amber Heard’s Role In Aquaman 2 Had Been Reduced
During her extremely publicized defamation trial, it was alleged by Amber Heard herself that her role was cut down in Aquaman 2. As Variety reported, Heard seems to have said,
“I was given a script and then given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in it… They basically took a bunch out of my role… They just removed a bunch out.”
Apparently among the scenes ‘cut’, there were two scenes that featured Mera fighting Black manta, and a romantic scene between Mera and Arthur Curry (via Variety). However, the movie’s director, Jason Wan in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, stated the sequel was always going to be more focussed on Arthur and his brother Orm’s relationship. Thus, subtlety denying such allegations.
Drunk Jason Momoa On Set Of Aquaman 2
Just as the trailer for the movie was released in September, a document from the Johnny Depp-Heard defamation trial started circulating on Reddit. Apparently, the fans of Depp had paid for the document to be released. It was said to be some raw notes scribbled by the actress’s therapist dating to a Dec 2021 session.
As Variety reports, one of the incidents mentioned on the notes was about Jason Momoa apparently causing rukus on set by being drunk and allegedly dressing up as Depp to scare Heard and asking her to be fired from the role.
However, a DC rep denied such an incident to the news site, stating that the Aquaman star was always professional on the sets of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Other sources too denied such an event had ever happened.
Jason Wan Being Unwelcoming On Set
The same therapist’s notes turned out to be nothing less than a treasure box for rumors. One of the other incidents mentioned in the notes was about the director Jason Wan being allegedly unfair and unkind to Amber Heard on sets of the sequel. The note apparently stated,
“He raised his voice @ me — ‘I can’t even post about Aquaman’ — made it like it was my fault – I said ‘I’m sorry’. Nobody could take selfies with me on set given blackout.”
While Wan declined a comment, Variety reports a DC spokesperson maintained that the director ‘is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set’.
Amber Heard Nearly Being Fired And Elon Musk’s Letter
Amid the Change.Org petition by fans to have Heard removed from Aquaman 2, there were also rumors claiming that Heard was almost removed from the sequel due to lack of chemistry between her and Jason Momoa, and not because of her defamation trail (via Variety).
Despite sending a letter to the actress’ attorney about the decision, the alleged firing never took place. As the news site details, it was due to Heard’s now-ex Elon Musk reportedly sending a ‘scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down‘ if the actress was fired. While there has been no comments from Musk, DC apparently did not have the actress removed despite ‘lack of chemistry’ talks.
While these and more incidents, rumors, and controversies continue to surround the movie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released on 22 December, 2023.
