In “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” there’s controversy surrounding Amber Heard’s return as Mera, but DC is hopeful of its success.
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Amber Heard rejoins Aquaman franchise
DC is gearing up to release its multi-million-dollar hit, the next installment of Aquaman, which will bring back Amber Heard as Mera, a character who has been at the center of controversy in Hollywood after her highly publicized divorce from American actor Johnny Depp.
Director James Wan’s journey to bring “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” to the big screen has been a challenging one. Despite facing hurdles and some worrisome factors, the film is on the brink of its highly anticipated premiere in December.
Initial test screenings left audiences disappointed, with some even calling it “unwanted.” The film also had to navigate a challenging post-production process, including expensive reshoots spanning three phases.
Another major issue tied to the Aquaman franchise is Amber Heard’s involvement. The actress, known for her roles in “The Rum Diary” and “3 Days to Kill,” publicly accused her former husband, Johnny Depp, during their 2016 relationship, of physical abuse and claimed he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
This led to Disney and other studios severing ties with Depp, resulting in significant financial losses for him in potential film roles. In response, Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2022, which culminated in a high-profile trial where Depp emerged victorious, receiving over $10 million in damages.
During Depp’s legal battle against Heard, fans rallied behind him, and as a result, Heard faced online harassment. A petition was circulated calling for her removal from the Aquaman franchise, with some fans suggesting actress Emilia Clarke as a replacement.
However, while DC has not entirely removed Heard from the film, reports suggest that Mera’s role has been repositioned to avoid backlash. Nevertheless, conflicting sources claim that Heard’s role mirrors her presence in the 2018 Aquaman film.
In any case, Mera is set to return in the upcoming installment, and the story is likely to reveal whether she and Arthur have a child following the events of the first film. As Warner Bros. prepares to promote “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” a teaser trailer hints at Heard’s return as Mera, showing a brief shot of her rushing towards a burning building, likely Tom Curry’s new home.
It appears that Mera is donning her green suit from the first Aquaman film, indicating continuity between the two sequels. However, it’s hoped that in this sequel, we might see Mera in a new, more iconic blue suit.
While fans remain hesitant about DC’s decision to bring back Heard, the studio appears optimistic about the film, even though the teaser trailer keeps Mera in the background
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