The long-standing rumor surrounding Amber Heard and Jason Momoa has finally been confirmed, shedding light on their working relationship during the production of DC’s Aquaman and its sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Heard, 38, and Momoa, 45, shared the screen in these blockbuster films, yet speculation about their on-set dynamic has persisted for years. Now, new revelations provide clarity on the situation.
Leading up to the release of the second Aquaman installment, rumors about tension between Heard and Momoa gained traction. Many fans noticed that Heard’s role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was significantly reduced compared to the original film. This fueled speculation that behind-the-scenes conflicts or external factors might have contributed to her decreased screen time. A film executive has now addressed these rumors, confirming aspects of the actors’ relationship and the reasons behind the casting decisions.
Following the conclusion of her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp, Amber Heard has largely retreated from the public eye. Reports suggest that Heard has left Hollywood to focus on raising her daughter, Oonagh, who was born in 2021. According to a source from People magazine, Heard is fully devoted to motherhood. “She spends every day with her girl. They stroll around, visit parks, and enjoy family time. Amber is a great mom,” the source shared. This shift in priorities marks a significant change in Heard’s life following the high-profile defamation trial with Depp in 2022.
Depp’s lawsuit against Heard stemmed from a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post, where she discussed her experiences with domestic violence. Although Depp was not explicitly named, his legal team argued that the piece indirectly referenced prior allegations Heard made against him. The trial revealed shocking claims from both parties, capturing global media attention and impacting both actors’ careers. Amid the legal battle, Heard testified that Warner Bros. had significantly reduced her role in the Aquaman sequel. She claimed she had to fight “really hard to stay in the movie,” alleging that updated script versions removed several of her scenes. “They basically took a bunch out of my role. They just removed a bunch,” she stated.
However, Aquaman’s executive producer Walter Hamada provided a different explanation. In a video deposition, Hamada asserted that Heard’s role was never intended to be as prominent in the sequel. He revealed that discussions about potentially recasting Heard stemmed from chemistry concerns between her and Jason Momoa, not from external pressures related to her legal troubles. “They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada explained, according to The Independent. “The reality is, it’s not uncommon in movies for two leads to not have chemistry.”
Hamada elaborated that the production team had to exert considerable effort to create the illusion of chemistry between Heard and Momoa. This lack of on-screen synergy reportedly led to internal discussions about whether Heard should continue in the role of Mera. However, the decision was ultimately made to retain her in the film, albeit with a reduced presence.
Director James Wan also weighed in on the matter, offering a creative perspective on Heard’s diminished role. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wan explained that the narrative direction of the sequel naturally shifted focus away from Heard’s character. “I always pitched this to everyone from the get-go. The first Aquaman was Arthur and Mera’s journey. The second movie was always going to be Arthur and Orm. So the first was a romance action-adventure movie; the second one is a bromance action-adventure movie. We’ll leave it at that.”
Wan’s statement suggests that the reduced focus on Heard’s character was a creative decision rather than a consequence of external factors. This aligns with Hamada’s explanation, indicating that Heard’s limited screen time was part of the original plan for the film. Despite various rumors, the actress did appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, though her role was notably smaller.
The confirmation of these behind-the-scenes details provides insight into how personal dynamics and creative decisions intersect in major film productions. While Heard’s legal battles and public controversies may have fueled speculation, the primary reason for her reduced role appears to be a combination of narrative direction and on-screen chemistry challenges with Momoa.
As Heard steps away from Hollywood to focus on her personal life, and with Momoa continuing his career in the DC Universe and other projects, this chapter of speculation has finally been addressed. Fans of the Aquaman franchise now have a clearer understanding of the decisions that shaped the sequel and the professional relationship between its leading stars.
