Exclusive: Aquaman 2 Director Finally Reveals Truth Behind Epic DCEU Set Drama

Summary

Aquaman director James Wan addresses reports of a toxic work environment and emphasizes the need to stay calm amidst the "noise" and false narratives.

Wan, renowned for his privacy and aversion to online conflicts, emphasizes the contrast between the actual events and the exaggerated assertions surrounding the movie.

He specifies that the reshoots for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom were confined to a mere seven or eight days, a typical undertaking for a film of this magnitude, necessitated by scheduling challenges.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan has finally addressed the recent chaotic reports surrounding his upcoming superhero movie in the DCEU. As the franchise draws to a close after a decade, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom being its final installment, the journey leading up to this film has been plagued with challenges. These include multiple release date delays, on-set troubles, reshoots, and lukewarm test screenings.

In response to allegations of a toxic work environment on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Wan has broken his silence in an interview with Empire Magazine (via Comicbook.com). While other cast members, including Momoa, have remained silent, Wan shared his experience without specifically addressing any particular claims. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of peace amidst the noise surrounding him, stating that he has been learning to be more Zen in his approach.

Aquaman 2's Behind The Scenes Drama Explained

I have had to adopt a more Zen-like approach to cope with the cacophony surrounding me, without a doubt. Being a rather private individual, I refrain from engaging in social media confllicts. Nevertheless, it becomes challenging as a distorted narrative has surfaced, deviating from the reality. While writing about all the commotion may be entertaining and generates attention, the truth remains unknown to many. The reshooting process consisted of approximately seven or eight days, which is insignificant for a movie of this magnitude. However, the shoots were spread out due to the difficulty in arranging the return of the actors after completing the initial filming.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faced controversy when a report by Variety, based on documents from Amber Heard's therapist, Dr. Dawn Hughes, revealed alleged behavior by Jason Momoa and director James Wan towards Heard. Momoa was accused of harassing Heard by impersonating Johnny Depp while intoxicated, during a time when she was engaged in a defamation lawsuit with her former spouse. Additionally, Momoa reportedly made attempts to have Heard removed from the film, but Warner Bros. refrained from taking action due to a warning letter from Elon Musk's legal team, threatening severe consequences if Mera's character was written out.

Wan and Heard were involved in a dispute, with Heard claiming that Wan raised his voice at her and prevented her from sharing anything about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. She also stated that Wan treated her poorly and made her feel like an outcast. Prior to Wan's statement, a DC spokesperson defended Wan's reputation for treating his cast and crew with respect. It remains to be seen if the behind-the-scenes drama will impact the movie's box office results, as the release date is approaching. It will be interesting to see if Momoa or other members of the production team will address the reports. If the SAG-AFTRA strike ends, the cast and crew may face questions about the initial allegations during the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom press tour.

Source: Empire Magazine (via Comicbook.com)