DC Films Head Testifies: Amber Heard Was Nearly Replaced In Aquaman 2 Because She Lacked Chemistry With Jason Momoa

Amber Heard came this close to be replaced for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom over chemistry concerns. 

Walter Hamada, the president of Warner Bros Pictures’ DC Films, revealed this Tuesday when he testified (May 24) at the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard defamation suit.

Heard recently claimed the brouhaha over her domestic abuse allegations against Depp almost her cost the part of Mera in the sequel to the 2018 movie and though she kept her job, her role as Aquaman’s romantic interest was greatly reduced.

When asked whether Heard’s role was pared down before production, Hamada, appearing by video deposition, said her part was always planned to be smaller in Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom 

“The size of the role in the film that she has was determined in the early development of the script,” said Hamada, who added that the story focus was always intended to move away from Aquaman and Mera’s and towards Aquaman’s relationship with his half-brother Orm, played by Patrick Wilson.

“The movie was always pitched as a buddy comedy between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson,” the executive said.

The studio, however, did consider replacing Heard because of her lack of chemistry with Momoa in the first movie, said Hamada.

“It was the concerns that were brought up at the wrap of the first movie, which was the issue of chemistry, did the two have the chemistry,” Hamada said. “I think editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie, but there was a concern that it took a lot of effort to get there and would we be better off recasting, finding someone who has better, more natural chemistry with Jason Momoa and move forward that way?”

Hamada said the resulting chemistry was created by “movie magic” in post-production, adding that “a good editor and a good filmmaker can pick the right takes, pick the right moments.”

James Wan directed both Aquaman and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which will begin its global roll-out in cinemas in March 2023.

Watch Hamada’s testimony here:

Photo: TPG News/Click Photos