Aquaman 2 Director Breaks Silence, Unveiling Shocking Changes to Amber Heard's Role!

Highlights

The plan to diminish Heard's role in the film was premeditated, as stated by Wan. The initial movie emphasized Aquaman and Mera's relationship, while the sequel centers around the bond between Aquaman and Orm.

Though it remains uncertain if the controversy surrounding Heard directly influenced this decision, numerous fans expressed discontent with her casting prior to the defamation case. Considering the existing challenges faced by the DCEU, involving an actor with a tarnished reputation carries potential risks. Moreover, the saturation of superhero movies and the audience's longing for novelty could potentially affect the success of Aquaman 2.

Amber Heard's portrayal of Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faced uncertainty following her defamation verdict against Johnny Depp. Speculations arose about her potential recasting or reduced involvement in the film. Director James Wan has addressed these concerns by confirming that Heard's character will have a diminished presence in the sequel. However, this decision is not solely based on the controversy surrounding her, but rather on Wan's creative vision for the movie. Furthermore, he clarified that this was the intended plan from the outset.

Wan stated to Variety that the original plan was to have Aquaman team up with a different character in each movie. This is why Amber Heard was heavily involved in the first film, but not the second. "I always pitched this idea to everyone from the beginning," Wan explained. "The first 'Aquaman' focused on the journey of Arthur and Mera. The second movie was always intended to showcase the dynamic between Arthur and Orm. So, the first film was a romantic action-adventure, while the second one is more of a bromantic action-adventure. That's all I will say for now."

Heard played the role of Mera in both Aquaman and Justice League. Initially, there were no concerns about her casting. However, when recordings of her conversations with Depp during their marriage became public in 2020, fans began to turn against her. Even before she was sued for defamation, there were online petitions demanding her removal from any future Aquaman films. During the trial, Depp claimed that he helped Heard land the role, but she denied this. It is worth noting that Heard was not a well-known actor before Aquaman was released.

While Wan did not confirm whether the controversy surrounding Heard is the reason for her reduced involvement in Aquaman 2, fans speculate that this might be the case. Regardless of one's stance on the Heard-Depp trial, involving an actor with a tarnished reputation is a risky move. Numerous fans expressed their dissatisfaction with Heard through the petitions. The DCEU is facing challenges already, with the need to rebuild and the lack of desired financial returns, as demonstrated by Blue Beetle's disappointing performance at the box office.

Regardless of whether or not Heard appears in Aquaman 2, there is a possibility that fans of the superhero genre are growing tired of cinematic universes. With DC's overall reception not doing well and the negative reaction to the new Aquaman 2 trailer, even Marvel is not experiencing the same level of success as before. Fans are craving something fresh, such as shows like The Boys and Invincible. Unless Aquaman 2 brings something innovative to the table, its prospects may not be looking too promising, and this cannot be solely blamed on Heard. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to premiere in theaters on December 20, 2023.

Source: Variety