A recent report by Variety has unveiled a series of shocking allegations regarding Jason Momoa’s alleged attempts to have his Aquaman co-star, Amber Heard, fired from the DC sequel, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” These allegations have stirred considerable controversy and cast a shadow over the film’s production.
According to the report, the shocking revelations stem from documents obtained during Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial. Some Reddit users reportedly paid to access these documents and shared them online. Among the notes from Heard’s therapist, written on a legal pad, are descriptions of Jason Momoa’s behavior on set.
The therapist’s notes claim that Momoa was seen on set in a drunken state, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of Johnny Depp, and allegedly making efforts to have Amber Heard fired from the film. These claims have raised concerns about Momoa’s professionalism during the movie’s production.
Intriguingly, it appears that Amber Heard was nearly fired from her role as Mera after the release of the first Aquaman film in 2018. However, her potential firing was not linked to the highly publicized legal battle with Johnny Depp but rather to the lack of chemistry between Heard and Jason Momoa, who plays Aquaman. This narrative aligns with statements made by Heard’s agent during the defamation trial.
Despite the near-dismissal, Amber Heard was retained in her role as Mera, and Elon Musk is alleged to be the key figure behind this decision. It is reported that Musk, who was Heard’s boyfriend at the time, had one of his lawyers send a strongly-worded letter to Warner Bros. In this letter, the studio was threatened with severe consequences if Heard was let go from the project. This apparent intervention by Musk was instrumental in retaining Amber Heard for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
In response to these allegations, IGN reached out to Warner Bros. and Jason Momoa’s representatives for comments. A DC spokesperson strongly refuted the allegations regarding Momoa, emphasizing that he conducted himself in a professional manner on the set of the film. Furthermore, a source defended Momoa’s choice of attire, asserting that his style has always been characterized by a bohemian flair rather than emulating Johnny Depp.
The notes from Amber Heard’s therapist indicate that “Jason said he wanted me fired. Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.” These descriptions offer a stark contrast to the professional image expected on a movie set.
The therapist’s notes also suggest that director James Wan marginalized Amber Heard during filming due to her ongoing legal disputes with Johnny Depp. The notes mention that Wan raised his voice at her, making it challenging for her to share her experiences on social media and ultimately making her feel responsible for the issue. Additionally, the notes state that nobody was allowed to take selfies with her due to a “blackout” imposed on set.
However, a DC spokesperson rebuffed these claims, asserting that James Wan has a reputation for treating cast and crew members with the utmost respect and creating a positive and collaborative working environment on set. This statement reflects a different perspective on the alleged issues during filming.
Amidst these allegations, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has faced scrutiny for various other reasons, including extensive reshoots and a significant budget. The film’s production costs reportedly reached $215 million, with high expectations for it to replicate the billion-dollar success of its predecessor upon its release on December 20. Concerns have arisen regarding the DC Extended Universe’s (DCEU) performance at the box office, with recent films such as “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash,” and “Blue Beetle” failing to meet expectations. Consequently, the DCEU’s brand power has come under scrutiny in the wake of these developments.
