Amber Heard was almost not brought back as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, allegedly due to her ongoing legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against Amber Heard begins today and more details have emerged about allegations made by either side. While the legal struggles between the pair began when Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse, Depp’s legal team later alleged he had been abused by Heard. This has led to Heard filing a counterclaim, seeking up to $100 million on the basis that Depp’s claim had resulted in her being dropped from film and commercial projects, as well as damaging her prospects for future projects. Amongst the projects Heard claims were affected is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman.
In an op-ed piece, Amber Heard stated “A movie I was attached to recast my role. I had just shot a two-year campaign as the face of a global fashion brand, and the company dropped me. Questions arose as to whether I would be able to keep my role of Mera in the movies Justice League and Aquaman.” For a long time, Heard’s role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had been in question, her casting not being confirmed until long after other returning actors on the project.
Walter Hamada, President of DC Films is said to have testified, during a deposition as part of the Depp case, that Amber Heard was initially not picked up for the Aquaman sequel due to concerns over her chemistry with co-star Jason Momoa during the first film. Such issues had been referenced by Momoa and Heard publicly after the release of the film. Heard, however, has alleged that the claims made by Depp’s legal team were the reason she was almost dropped from the sequel. Although she was ultimately picked up for Lost Kingdom, Heard has also alleged that Depp’s abuse claims prevented her from negotiating a fee increase commensurate with co-stars like Momoa.
While the defamation case starts today in Virginia, it is expected to last several weeks.
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Source: Puck