A producer engaged in the movie has confirmed rumors of conflict between Jason Momoa and Amber Heard, the stars of the “Aquaman” franchise. This revelation puts to rest years of speculation that began as early as 2018 when Amber Heard was embroiled in a highly publicized legal battle with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.
The Origins of the Friction
Depp and Heard have been together since 2009, when they first met, and they married in February 2015. However, their relationship took a drastic turn in May 2016, when Heard accused Depp of physical vio:lence during their divo:rce proceedings, accusations that Depp has repeatedly denied. These personal struggles were not only legal, but also public, having an impact on both of their careers.
Legal Battles and Court Decisions
The legal processes between Depp and Heard culminated in a Virginia court, where the jury ruled in Depp’s favor, ordering Heard to pay more than $10 million in damages. This figure was later decreased due to state limitations. In contrast, following Heard’s countersuit for defamation, Depp was forced to pay her $2 million. These court verdicts sparked increased public attention and debate about the performers’ personal and professional backgrounds.
Reduced Role in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”
When “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” was released in 2023, people observed a considerable drop in Amber Heard’s screen time compared to the first picture, in which she played a central part. According to sources, scenes starring Heard were cut, fueling conjecture that her legal fights and the verdict in Depp’s favor impacted the decision to reduce her role in the franchise.
Rumors of On-Set Tensions
A different theory was that Momoa and Heard lacked on-screen chemistry and did not get along privately. These rumors were reinforced by claims in late 2023 claiming that Momoa teased Heard on production, even dressing like Johnny Depp. Variety uncovered notes from Heard’s therapy sessions, which revealed the heated relationship between the co-stars. One letter stated that “Jason [Momoa] said he wanted me fired. Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.”
Official Statements and Denials
In response to the charges, a DC spokeswoman stated that Jason Momoa acted professionally throughout the filming of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” An insider on the site also defended Momoa, saying, “Jason works his a** off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn’t show up drunk to set. And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style.”
James Wan’s Alleged Restrictions
The notes also claimed that filmmaker James Wan was barred from advertising the sequel on social media due to the media frenzy surrounding Heard’s defamation suit. However, DC’s spokesman denied these reports, adding that Wan is recognized for treating his cast and crew with respect and creating a happy working atmosphere.
Producer Walter Hamada Speaks Out
In a recent interview, Aquaman producer Walter Hamada stated that the sequel was always intended to center on the titular character and his friend. Making Heard’s role secondary. In response to the chemistry speculations, Hamada stated that there were issues, noting, “They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together. The reality is, it’s not uncommon on movies for two leads to not have chemistry.”
The Magic of Movie Making
Hamada discussed the efforts done in post-production to create the illusion of chemistry between Momoa and Heard. “Chemistry can be fabricated through ‘movie magic and editorial’ and a ‘great score,’” he further clarified. “If you watch the movie, they look like they had great chemistry. I just know that through the course of the post-production, it took a lot of effort to get there.”
This revelation from Hamada sheds light on the intricate dynamics behind the scenes of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” providing fans with a better understanding of the franchise’s decisions and the suspicions that have persisted for years.
