LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA : In mid-September, as Warner Bros unveiled the much-anticipated trailer for 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a wave of drama crashed over the production.
Explosive documents from the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial have resurfaced on Reddit, unleashing a fresh set of challenges for the film studio.
Depp's loyal fans had played a huge role in releasing the contentious documents from Heard's therapist, Dr Dawn Hughes.
These notes depicted a turbulent 'Aquaman' set, with allegations of an inebriated Jason Momoa dressing like Depp and pushing for Heard's removal from her role as Mera.
The troubled waters of 'Aquaman 2'
According to the notes, "Jason said he wanted me fired... Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too."
While Momoa's representative remained tight-lipped, a DC spokesperson vehemently refuted Heard's account, asserting that "Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.'"
Heard's silence aside, a source close to the actress confirmed to Variety that the therapy notes were indeed related to the 'Aquaman 2' set.
Another source, as per Variety, revealed that her lawyers had vigorously contested the release of these therapy notes, which were subpoenaed by Depp's legal team during the discovery phase.
Amidst the storm, film director James Wan also found himself in hot water, as the therapy session notes suggested he had raised his voice at Heard and treated her as an outcast due to her ongoing legal battle with Depp.
The notes read, "He raised his voice @ me — 'I can't even post about Aquaman' — made it like it was my fault — I said 'I'm sorry.'"
However, the DC spokesperson stood by Wan, emphasizing his reputation for treating cast and crew with respect.
Despite the turmoil, sources from both sides disclosed to Variety that Heard was on the brink of losing her role in 'Aquaman 2.'
The decision to remove her was reportedly made after the first film's release in 2018, based on the perceived lack of chemistry between Heard and Momoa.
A letter from Warner Bros to Heard's attorney, Karl Austen, conveyed their intentions. It is crucial to note that this decision was unrelated to Depp's legal actions against Heard.
Ultimately, Heard's role was saved from the chopping block due to an unconventional intervention by her ex-boyfriend Elon Musk. According to an insider, who spoke with Variety, Musk's litigator sent a stern letter to Warner Bros, threatening severe consequences if Heard was not retained for the sequel.
Internet accuses Amber Heard of making false accusations
As news of the ongoing drama surrounding 'Aquaman 2' spread like wildfire, fans of Depp and detractors of Heard flocked to social media to express their disdain.
A user on social media platform X stated, "Amber Heard should be behind bars if we're being real. False accusers deserve the same sentence if justice is what we really seek for."
"She deserves this," remarked another person.
Another user chimed in, "This is absolutely untrue propaganda set in motion by Amber turd."
One more voice in the online chorus accused the news of being a "hit piece paid for by Elon," suggesting the involvement of external forces in the unfolding drama. Doubts about the credibility of the news emerged as some believed it was biased in favor of Heard.
One user on platform X questioned the veracity of the reports, saying, "Is this real? I doubt it."
'Aquaman 2' faces challenges beyond the drama
The turbulent waters surrounding 'Aquaman 2' come at a critical juncture for DC Entertainment, as the studio prepares to release the sequel.
Under the leadership of Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, DC Entertainment is navigating a complex landscape inherited from the previous regime, featuring films like 'The Flash' and 'Blue Beetle.'
Despite the potential of the 'Aquaman' sequel, which follows the record-breaking success of its predecessor, insiders, according to Variety, revealed that the production faced multiple hurdles unrelated to the Heard controversy.
After initial test screenings yielded lukewarm results, the film underwent significant reshoots in the summer of 2022. Even after these revisions, the film continued to receive mixed feedback, prompting further adjustments.
While 'Aquaman 2' might encounter challenges, the hope remains that it will shine at the box office, much like the first installment did.
As Warner Bros endeavors to revitalize the DC universe under new leadership, the fate of the sequel lies in the hands of eager audiences, with early tracking, as reported by Variety, suggesting strong interest and potential success during the holiday season.
