On September 14th, the trailer for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” released. On that same day, documents from the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard defamation trial made their way to Reddit. These documents do contain some pretty private information- notes from Heard’s therapist- which were used during the trial. They also had some pretty out there claims, like how Elon Musk reportedly prevented his ex-girlfriend Heard from being fired by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The documents were raw notes, scrawled on a legal pad, from Heard’s therapist, Dr. Dawn Hughes. They surfaced due to Depp fans/supporters paying the legal fees for their release, since these records were already unsealed after the trial. These notes have Heard describing a hostile “Aquaman” set, with co-workers allegedly harassing her in “an attempt to have her fired.”
“Jason said he wanted me fired,” the notes say, referencing star Jason Momoa. “Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.”
Momoa and his representatives have declined to comment on this accusation, but a DC spokesperson did comment. “Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’”
Others backed up the statement. “Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn’t show up drunk to set,” says an insider from 2021’s London set. This source also claims that Heard and Momoa were seen joking together and seemed to be getting along just fine. “And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that Bohemian style,” they added.
Heard refused to comment on this release of documents. Sources close to her do confirm the notes refer to the “Aquaman 2” set, from a therapy session in December of 2021. Another source claims Heard’s lawyer fought the release of the therapy notes, but Depp’s attorneys subpoenaed them during discovery. Neither the subpoena nor the move to suppress the notes is shocking given the situation.
These therapy notes go on to say Heard felt unsupported by “Aquaman” director, James Wan. Claiming that she felt she was being treated as a pariah because of her high-profile legal battle with Depp.
“He raised his voice @ me — ‘I can’t even post about Aquaman’ [on social media] — made it like it was my fault – I said ‘I’m sorry,’” said the notes about Wan. “Nobody could take selfies with me on set given blackout.”
Wan has also declined comment, but a DC spokesperson once again weighed in. “James is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set — the ‘Aquaman’ films were no exception.”
There is also evidence to support Heard’s volatile divorce from Depp was not the reason for wanting her ousted as Mera. In 2018, following the release of the first “Aquaman” film, the studio and Wan wanted to drop the actress from the sequel due to her “lack of chemistry with Momoa.” This theory has been backed up by a letter sent to Heard’s attorney, as well as former DC Films boss Walter Hamada testifying during the defamation trial about the “issue of chemistry.” Meaning the desire to fire her was unrelated to the suit Depp filed against the actress in 2019.
That said, Heard did do chemistry tests with Momoa before she was cast in the role. Heard beat out two other actresses, including Abbey Lee (“Mad Max: Fury Road“).
Okay, but what about Elon Musk?
According to yet-another-unnamed-source, Heard’s former boyfriend Elon Musk had one of his litigators send a “scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down” if the actress wasn’t brought back for the sequel. Musk has not commented on this claim.
All of these interpersonal issues were exacerbated by shakeups in DC Entertainment. New production arm DC Studios named co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, who are moving away from the previously laid superhero slate. Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca took over as chiefs of Warner Bros. Pictures in June 2022. The four have been trying to strategize how to work with the duds of comic book movies past. Including this year’s “The Flash” and “Blue Beetle,” both of which underperformed at the box office.
But, there was still hope for the “Aquaman” followup considering the first film earned $1.15 billion worldwide. [Making it the highest-grossing DC movie to date.] But the sequel has apparently only been testing in the 60s with audiences. Even after it was re-cut in the summer of 2022, it’s still not testing any better, prompting yet another cut. This is probably giving the studio flashbacks to David Ayer’s 2016 version of “Suicide Squad.” Which had so many recuts for tone that the end product was almost unrecognizable from the director’s vision.
“The movie is like this echo of regimes,” says yet another “Aquaman” ‘insider.’ “It’s the last remnant of the Snyderverse, and no one really wants to take ownership of it.” The film was reshooting until the WGA strikes started in May. That said, there are also sources saying any claims of trouble on set are exaggerated. Since the film was turned in on time, under budget, and only needed ‘a week of reshoots,’ which isn’t an abnormal timeframe.
Under normal circumstances, the stars refusing to promote the film together would be taken as a sign that something is wrong. But given the still-ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, it makes perfect sense. Once the strike ends though, it will be hard for Warner Bros., Wan, and/or Momoa to avoid Heard’s accusations that her role was significantly cut down.
Especially since there were at least two major Mera scenes cut from the film. These are reportedly an action sequence where Mera fights Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), as well as a love scene with Aquaman.
Only time will tell how well “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” does at the box office. The film is slated to hit theaters December 20th, 2023.
You can check out the trailer below:
