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The much-anticipated film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” is now showing in theaters, where Amber Heard, portraying Mera, Aquaman’s love interest, reportedly has a limited presence, appearing for roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
Heard’s role in the 2018 hit “Aquaman,” which amassed over $1.1 billion worldwide, led many to expect a significant presence in the sequel. However, she has mentioned that her part was notably reduced from an earlier version of the script.
Speculations arose about the reasons behind this reduction. While Heard’s team suggested it was linked to her legal battles with Johnny Depp, whom she accused of domestic violence, Warner Bros. stated that her role was never intended to be as prominent in the sequel. Some considerations were made about recasting Mera due to concerns about chemistry with Jason Momoa, who portrays Aquaman.
The timeline highlights several key moments:
- February 2019: Warner Bros. announces ‘Aquaman 2,’ with Jason Momoa set to reprise his role.
- March 2019: Following legal disputes between Depp and Heard, a Change.org petition emerged, urging Heard’s removal from ‘Aquaman 2.’
- November 2020: The petition gains traction after Depp exits the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise amid his legal battles.
- May 2022: During her defamation trial against Depp, Heard testified about her struggle to maintain her role in the sequel, mentioning a substantial reduction in her part.
- May 2023: Testimonies during court proceedings reveal discussions about recasting Heard due to concerns about her chemistry with Momoa and a diminishing role in the script.
- September 2023: Director James Wan clarifies that the sequel was always planned to focus on the relationship between Aquaman and Orm, not Mera.
- October 2023: Reports suggest that Elon Musk’s intervention helped retain Heard in the film after discussions of potential recasting.
- December 2023: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” hits theaters, featuring Heard’s character in a limited capacity, with approximately 11 brief speaking parts totaling around 15-20 minutes of screen time.
Despite the anticipation, Heard’s presence in the sequel is notably smaller than initially expected, generating various discussions about her role and the behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping the film’s production.