Despite the studio’s best efforts to generate hype for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” the situation surrounding the big-budget sequel is going from bad to worse. In a new report, allegations in the form of therapist notes suggest a production beset by highly unprofessional behavior by an unsupportive co-star and director. According to the notes, Heard claimed that Jason Momoa expressed to her that he wanted her fired from her role as Aquaman’s lover Mera and even arrived on set drunk while purposefully wearing clothing meant to remind her of Johnny Depp. Elsewhere, she alleged that director James Wan had “raised his voice” at her and blamed her for his difficulty in promoting the sequel to fans without distraction. Variety notes that a DC spokesperson pushed back on both allegations, maintaining that Momoa “conducted himself in a professional manner at all times” and Wan fostered “a positive, collaborative environment on set.”
Meanwhile, the report goes on to back up Heard’s previous claims that her role was reduced and that the Depp scandal nearly cost her job. As far back as when “Aquaman” first released in 2018, Variety reveals that Wan and Warner Bros. informed Heard’s lawyer of their intentions to fire her and move on without her in future appearances, apparently out of concerns of her lack of chemistry with Momoa — not, as alleged, because of the Heard/Depp trial or at Momoa’s behest. However, it appears Heard’s then-boyfriend Elon Musk (who’s found himself in the headlines for very different and even more damaging reasons lately) stepped in and sent a “scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down” should they move forward with that decision.
Clearly, Warner Bros. backed off and instead had the sequel highlight the Aquaman/Orm dynamic rather than Heard’s Mera.