Massive Outpouring of Support: Aquaman Fans Rally to Demand Change with Amber Heard

Amber Heard's public image has greatly diminished, but there remains a strong desire among fans to have her removed from Aquaman 2.

DC's already unfortunate streak of superhero movie misfortunes took a significant hit when Heard began attracting attention in the media. Despite having a respectable film career, the Aquaman actress faced a backlash from fans following the publication of an op-ed in the Washington Post. Initially addressing the issue of surviving abuse, it ultimately resulted in a legal dispute when her ex-husband Johnny Depp sued her for defamation. As a result, Heard's reputation as a public figure took a nosedive, leading to numerous calls from fans for her character, Mera, to be recast.

The court has made its decision on the case, but even after Heard spoke about the court's verdict in favor of Depp, her troubles have persisted. While the actor has mostly kept a low profile, there is still a desire among fans to see her removed from the Aquaman franchise. On March 20, 2019, a Change.org petition was created, asking for signatures to support the removal of Heard as Arthur's (Jason Momoa) love interest, Mera. To this day, hundreds of people continue to sign the petition daily, with a total of 4,630,527 signatures as of July 18, 2023.

The news cycle surrounding Depp has also influenced this petition. Once beloved by Disney, the actor was fired from the Fantastic Beasts franchise as Grindelwald and replaced by Mads Mikkelsen. Complications arose when controversial author J.K. Rowling rushed to Depp's defense. The petition argues that Depp was innocent and that the blame should solely rest on Heard.

The situation surrounding this issue is complex. In Heard's original piece, Depp is not mentioned. She focused solely on her own experiences with domestic violence without naming the perpetrator. However, Depp argues that this portrayal made it difficult for him to find work, leading to the lawsuit. Despite these claims, it appears that Heard has faced the most consequences. Depp won the civil suit against her and still maintains a strong support base. He has since found work and is currently filming a new movie titled La Favorite.

The creatives involved in Aquaman have yet to address how they will tackle the ongoing situation. As of now, Amber Heard is still attributed as Mera in the upcoming sequel. However, given the petitions aiming to jeopardize her career, Heard consistently finds herself at a disadvantage.

The premiere date for Aquaman 2 is set for December 20, 2023.

Source: Change.org