The Truth Behind Amber Heard's Diminished Role in Aquaman 2

Aquaman 2, also known as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is set to release in December. During the movie's promotion, director James Wan has provided insight into why Amber Heard's role was scaled back in the superhero sequel amidst various challenges faced by the production.

Expensive reshoots were also conducted, although director James Wan clarified that the extent of those alterations had been greatly exaggerated.

Moreover, there arose the matter concerning Amber Heard. In both films, she portrays the character Mera. However, it is believed that while the character played a significant role in the initial movie, Arthur Curry's potential romantic involvement with her is expected to be considerably diminished in the upcoming sequel.

Why Amber Heard’s role was reduced in Aquaman 2

During her well-publicized defamation trial against Johnny Depp, Amber Heard said that Warner Bros. didn’t want to include her in Aquaman 2.

Director James Wan acknowledged her comments in a recent interview, responding to Heard's statement about the character being reduced in the movie. Wan stated that it was fair for her to express her opinion because she was not aware of his creative vision during the film production. However, he clarified that streamlining her character was always part of his plan.

From the beginning, Wan's pitch involved the first film being a blend of action, adventure, and romantic comedy, drawing inspiration from movies like "Romancing The Stone." On the other hand, the second film was intended to be a full-fledged buddy comedy, drawing inspiration from films like "Tango & Cash."

That’s in line with Wan's previous statement to Entertainment Weekly: “From the beginning, I pitched this idea to everyone. The initial Aquaman focused on the journey of Arthur and Mera. The second film was always intended to explore the bond between Arthur and Orm. Therefore, the first movie could be described as a fusion of romance, action, and adventure, while the second one delves into a bromantic adventure. Let's just leave it at that.”

What is Tango & Cash?

Tango & Cash, released in 1989, is an action film featuring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell as a duo of unconventional police officers in Los Angeles. Their mission is to apprehend a notorious crime boss, portrayed in a dramatically exaggerated manner by the iconic actor, Jack Palance.

The film faced numerous production challenges and received negative reviews, with a 31% rating based on 48 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it performed well financially, earning more than twice its budget.

In Aquaman 2, Arthur Curry is compelled to join forces with his brother Orm in a fight against Black Manta. Director Wan has high expectations for his cast members Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson, aiming to recreate the captivating chemistry akin to Stallone and Russell.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released worldwide on December 20, 2023 – you can read more about the sequel here.