A Hollywood film executive recently revealed that discussions about recasting Amber Heard in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom were influenced by her on-screen dynamic with Jason Momoa.
Last December, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) unveiled James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The film, a direct follow-up to 2018’s Aquaman, marked the 15th and concluding installment in the DCEU before James Gunn’s planned overhaul set for the next summer.
Jason Momoa, 44, once again took on the role of the titular superhero, while Amber Heard, 38, returned for her fourth appearance as Mera.
However, the film’s release was overshadowed by accusations that Warner Bros. considered removing Heard from the sequel due to her highly publicized defamation case with ex-husband Johnny Depp, 61.
In court, Heard stated: “I fought hard to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film. I was given a script and then given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in it.
“That depicted my character and another character, without giving any spoilers away, two characters fighting with one another.”
“They basically took a bunch out of my role,” she mentioned. “They just removed a bunch.”
Heard also claimed that Momoa wanted her removed from the role of the underwater heroine.
In response to Heard’s court statements, former DC Studios president Walter Hamada refuted allegations that Warner Bros. intentionally cut her scenes from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Testifying on May 24, 2022, Hamada confirmed that Heard had an option contract with the studio to continue her portrayal of Mera in the Aquaman series, according to The Independent.
Hamada emphasized that Heard’s role was unaffected by any comments made by Depp or his lawyer, Adam Waldman.
Regarding the possibility of recasting Heard, Hamada attributed it to her apparent lack of chemistry with Momoa.
“They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada explained. “The reality is, it’s not uncommon in movies for two leads to not have chemistry.”
He further noted that while a compelling on-screen relationship can be achieved through ‘movie magic and editorial,’ it often requires significant effort.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom stands as Heard’s most recent film role. Meanwhile, her ex-husband Johnny Depp returned to the screen earlier this year, portraying Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry.
Jason Momoa has also been busy, appearing alongside Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy, and has forthcoming projects including the Minecraft Movie, In the Hand of Dante, and Chief of War.