Amber Heard’s team is shutting down any speculation that she has been cut from the Aquaman sequel and that her character, Mera, is being recast. On Tuesday, after reports began to circulate online that the 36-year-old actress has been cut from the film, her team says it’s not true.
The rumor mill continues as it has from day one — inaccurate, insensitive, and slightly insane,” a spokesperson for Heard tells ET.
Heard portrayed “Mera” in the film, working alongside Jason Momoa, Dolph Lundgren and Willem Dafoe. The second film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is set to be released in 2023.
“Warner Bros. decided to recast Amber Heard‘s role after screen testing the movie. They are going to be doing reshoots with Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman,” sources told Just Jared.
An insider later revealed to the publication: “Amber has not been completely cut from the film. She still has a very small role.”
Depp was awarded $10.35 million in damages after a jury declared Heard defamed Depp on all counts following a nearly seven-week trial in Virginia amid allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star initially sought a $50 million payout, and Heard counter sued for $100 million in damages.
During the trial, the deposition of Walter Hamada, President of DC-based film productions for Warner Bros. — about Heard and Momoa’s chemistry in the first film — was played for the courts. Heard also took the stand and denied the claims that her ex-husband got her a role in the film.
Walter Hamada said in a pre-taped deposition played for jurors during the defamation trial that Heard and Momoa were not a good match, while Heard had testified her role was “pared down” due to her public battle with Depp.
There was a delay recasting the part of Mera in “Aquaman 2” and discussion of replacing Heard with an actress who had more “natural chemistry” with Momoa, he said, but the studio decided to move forward with Heard.
