Hollywood, CA — A top Hollywood executive has confirmed a long-suspected issue between “Aquaman” co-stars Amber Heard and Jason Momoa, shedding light on rumors that plagued the production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Walter Hamada, former president of DC Studios, revealed that the decision to keep Heard in the role of Mera was impacted by her reported lack of on-screen chemistry with Momoa, rather than her infamous legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Amber Heard first portrayed Mera in the 2018 Aquaman film, where she starred alongside Momoa, who played the titular role of Arthur Curry. Despite receiving mixed reviews—scoring 66% on Rotten Tomatoes—the movie’s box office success led to the greenlighting of the 2023 sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Heard’s Role Reduced Amid Legal and Production Challenges
Heard’s return as Mera for the sequel was clouded by her high-profile defamation case against Depp. During the trial, Heard testified about the uncertainty surrounding her role, claiming, “I fought hard to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film.” She added that her scenes had been significantly reduced, stating, “They basically took a bunch out of my role.”
However, Hamada disputed these claims, denying that the cuts were related to her legal issues. Instead, he pointed to a more fundamental problem: “They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together. The reality is, it’s not uncommon in movies for two leads to not have chemistry.”
Audience and Critics React to On-Screen Tension
The lack of chemistry between Heard and Momoa did not go unnoticed by fans. Social media buzzed with commentary following early screenings of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. One viewer tweeted, “Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom review: Amber Heard only has a few lines, the audience dislikes her, and the tension/lack of chemistry between her and Jason Momoa translated to the screen.”
Hamada elaborated that while it is possible to create a compelling on-screen relationship through “movie magic and editorial,” it often requires considerable effort. This echoed the sentiments of viewers who noted a palpable tension between the co-stars.
Mixed Reception and Heard’s Future in the DC Universe
Despite the production challenges and mixed reactions, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received a favorable 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ audience ‘Popcornometer’. However, critics were less kind, giving it a dismal 34% rating. Heard also reprised her role as Mera in Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021, where her performance was met with a warmer reception.
The confirmation of Heard and Momoa’s strained dynamic offers an explanation for the ongoing speculation about Heard’s future in the DC Universe. While her scenes may have been reduced, the decision appears to have been driven more by creative considerations than by her legal controversies.
As Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom continues its theatrical run, it remains to be seen whether the film’s performance will influence casting decisions in any future DC projects. For now, the chemistry—or lack thereof—between its two leads remains a key talking point among fans and industry insiders alike.
Add a Comment