A long-standing rumor surrounding Amber Heard and Jason Momoa’s relationship on the Aquaman set has finally been addressed.
The pair starred together in the 2018 blockbuster and its 2023 sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
While Heard played Queen Mera in both films, her screen time in the sequel was much shorter than in the original.
That sparked countless rumors online, with many suggesting drama between Heard and Momoa was the reason behind her reduced role.
Now, a key Warner Bros. executive has revealed what really happened — and the truth has surprised plenty of fans.
Heard’s Hollywood Exit
In recent years, Amber Heard has seemingly stepped back from the Hollywood spotlight altogether.
A source told People magazine the actress is now focused on raising her daughter Oonagh, born in 2021.
“She spends every day with her girl,” the insider said. “They stroll around, visit parks, and enjoy family time.”
The same source insisted Heard is a devoted mother, adding: “Amber is a great mom.”
This retreat from acting comes after her explosive court battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp dominated headlines worldwide.
The Defamation Trial Fallout
In 2018, Heard wrote a Washington Post op-ed describing experiences of domestic violence. She did not name Depp directly.
Still, Depp’s legal team argued the piece implied previous abuse claims she had made against him.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor sued for damages, and the trial became one of the most-watched celebrity cases in years.
Both stars aired shocking accusations, with testimony sparking intense debate and dividing public opinion.
Ultimately, Depp won the defamation case in 2022, with Heard ordered to pay millions in damages.
What Happened With Aquaman 2
During her testimony, Heard said Warner Bros. slashed her role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom because of her legal battles.
She claimed she had to “fight really hard to stay in the movie” after receiving new scripts with scenes missing.
“They basically took a bunch out of my role,” Heard told the court. “They just removed a bunch.”
However, Warner Bros. executive producer Walter Hamada later gave a different explanation in a video deposition.
The Chemistry Problem
Hamada confirmed there were talks about recasting Mera, but the reason wasn’t the lawsuit — it was on-screen chemistry.
“They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” he explained. “The reality is, that happens sometimes in films.”
He added it “took a lot of effort” in editing and direction to make their partnership look believable on screen.
Director James Wan also backed this explanation, saying the sequel was never designed to focus on Mera.
“I always pitched it as Arthur and Orm’s story,” Wan told Entertainment Weekly.
“The first film was a romance action-adventure. The second is more of a bromance adventure between Arthur and Orm.”
Despite speculation, Heard did appear in the 2023 sequel, though her role was minimal compared to her debut performance.
Many fans expressed disappointment on social media, believing studio decisions were influenced by the Depp-Heard trial.
Others supported Warner Bros.’ reasoning, arguing the story shift made sense and chemistry issues were a valid concern.
Regardless of the rumors, Heard has since kept a low profile, focusing on motherhood rather than Hollywood.
For now, Aquaman’s future remains tied to Jason Momoa, while Amber Heard’s career seems to be on pause.
Featured image credit: Gage Skidmore / Warner Bros
