In a shocking revelation, a recent report from Variety has shed light on what appears to be a tumultuous behind-the-scenes struggle involving Jason Momoa and Amber Heard during the production of the highly anticipated DC sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The bombshell report emerged on the same day that the trailer for the film was unveiled, sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. It alleges that Jason Momoa, who plays the titular character Aquaman, made efforts to have Amber Heard, who portrays Mera, fired from the project.
The controversial claims stem from documents that were reportedly obtained by Reddit users who paid to access notes from the Johnny Depp-Heard defamation trial. These notes, scribbled by Heard’s therapist on a legal pad, contain descriptions of Momoa appearing to be intoxicated on set, dressed as Johnny Depp, and attempting to persuade the producers to remove Heard from the film.
However, it’s crucial to note that the report suggests Momoa’s alleged attempts to oust Heard were not related to the highly publicized legal battle between Heard and Johnny Depp. Instead, it cites a lack of chemistry between the two actors as the primary reason for the purported firing attempts. This explanation aligns with statements made by Heard’s agent during the defamation trial.
The Variety report further claims that Amber Heard narrowly avoided being fired from her role as Mera after the release of the first Aquaman film in 2018. Surprisingly, the savior of her career in this instance was none other than tech mogul Elon Musk. It is alleged that Musk, Heard’s former boyfriend, had one of his lawyers send a strongly worded letter to Warner Bros., effectively threatening to take drastic measures if she were removed from the project. This act, dubbed a “scorched-earth letter”, seemingly forced Warner Bros. to retain Heard for The Lost Kingdom.
In response to the allegations against Jason Momoa, a DC spokesperson defended the actor, asserting that he conducted himself professionally throughout the production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Additionally, another source downplayed the claims that Momoa was imitating Johnny Depp, stating that his unique style has always leaned towards a bohemian aesthetic.
This revelation adds yet another layer of intrigue to the production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which had already been under scrutiny due to reports of extensive reshoots. While reshoots are not uncommon in the realm of superhero movies, they can be costly and sometimes indicative of underlying production challenges.
According to Variety’s report, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had a production budget of $215 million, putting considerable pressure on the film to follow in the footsteps of its billion-dollar-grossing predecessor. The movie is scheduled for release on December 20, and its success is critical for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which has faced challenges with underperforming films in recent times. With a revamped approach to the DCEU under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom remains a pivotal release for the franchise, and fans are eagerly awaiting its arrival in theaters.