Controversy surrounds Amber Heard’s return as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. What’s the full story?
DC is gearing up to release the sequel to the Aquaman film, bringing back Amber Heard as Mera.
Heard’s presence in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has immediately stirred controversy, largely due to the legal battles she had with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.
Amber Heard’s Return in the Aquaman Sequel
The journey to bring James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to the big screen has been a substantial one.
Despite the challenges faced, the film is set to premiere in December, but with some concerning factors, one of them being the controversy surrounding Heard’s presence, as discussed earlier.
This was evident during early test screenings of the film, which left many viewers disappointed and led to reviews stating that the movie was “unwatchable,” as reported by Hindustan Times.
Some time ago, there was even a petition circulating, calling for Heard’s removal from the sequel, with some fans suggesting Emilia Clarke as her replacement.
While DC did not entirely remove Heard from the film, reports indicate that her role as Mera has been altered to avoid backlash.
However, conflicting sources claim that Heard’s role remains unchanged, similar to her appearance in the 2018 Aquaman film.
Nevertheless, Mera will appear in the sequel, with a storyline that may reveal that she and Arthur have had a child since the events of the first film.
As Warner Bros prepares to promote Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a teaser trailer offers a glimpse of Heard’s return to the superhero franchise.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed a scene in the teaser featuring a burning house, likely Tom Curry’s new home.
In this brief shot, Mera is seen rushing towards the building, undertaking a rescue mission.
Mera appears to be wearing the green outfit from the first Aquaman film, indicating a connection between the two sequels. However, it is speculated that Heard will sport a new, more blue-colored suit in this sequel.
While fans still have reservations about Heard’s return to the DC universe, the studio seems optimistic about the film, even though the teaser trailer keeps Mera in the background.
Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp
The actress, known for her roles in The Rum Diary and 3 Days to Kill, openly accused her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, of physical abuse in 2016 during their relationship, alleging he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
This led to Disney and other studios severing ties with Depp, resulting in significant financial losses in potential film roles.
In response, Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2022, resulting in a high-profile trial where Depp emerged victorious and received over $10 million in damages.
