Former DC Films Exec Spills The Truth About Amber Heard's Reduced Role In Aquaman 2—And It’s Not What You Think

Not legal drama, but lack of sparks.

Jesse

• Published in News
• December 3, 2024

Hollywood has a way of blending glitz and glamour with enough behind-the-scenes drama to rival its biggest blockbusters. From romantic comedies to superhero sagas, the spotlight isn’t always reserved for the stars on screen—it often shines just as brightly on what happens when the cameras stop rolling.

One such case is the Aquaman franchise, which recently found itself at the center of an unexpected wave of public curiosity.

This story doesn’t involve hidden treasure or mythical kingdoms; instead, it’s about chemistry—or the lack thereof. Not the kind with beakers and explosions, but the kind that makes audiences believe in an on-screen romance.

In 2018, Aquaman took audiences on a wild ride into the depths of Atlantis, with Jason Momoa as the titular hero and Amber Heard as Mera, the queen of the sea. Together, they forged a powerful duo to battle oceanic foes, or so it seemed. While the movie enjoyed box-office success, whispers about their on-screen connection—or lack thereof—surfaced.

Fast forward to the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and the waters surrounding the cast grew murkier. Fan speculation about Heard’s diminished role was fueled by her highly publicized legal battles with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.

But, as new revelations surface, it turns out the real story may have less to do with courtroom drama and more to do with an entirely different kind of tension. Let’s dive in.

Let's dive in...

Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard), the queen of the sea.

A powerful duo in the movie, but strangers in real life

Amber Heard's reprisal as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom became a hot topic during the sequel's development. Amid her legal disputes with Johnny Depp, fans speculated that her personal controversies influenced her reduced presence in the film.

However, Walter Hamada, former DC Studios president, recently addressed the issue with an unexpected twist.

“They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada revealed. This sentiment mirrored what some fans had already observed: the tension between the actors bled into their characters, making their relationship feel less convincing. While movie magic can often work wonders, in this case, it seems the illusion was harder to maintain.

Amber Heard admitted in court that she struggled to keep her role in the sequel

Amber Heard herself had previously spoken out about her struggles to keep her role in the sequel. During a legal proceeding, she stated, “I fought hard to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film.” She also described how her character’s action scenes and overall presence were reduced significantly in revised scripts.

This revelation set social media ablaze, with many viewers agreeing that the lack of chemistry had indeed impacted their enjoyment of the film. Some even speculated that this discord may have contributed to the mixed critical reception of the sequel.

Despite these challenges, Heard did appear in the 2023 release, which garnered a warmer audience response than critics anticipated. The saga surrounding Aquaman serves as a fascinating glimpse into how personal and professional dynamics ripple through even the most fantastical Hollywood creations.

Jesse