The head of DC Films at Warner Bros., Walter Hamada, testified Tuesday in the defamation trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp that the studio had considered replacing Heard with a different actress in “Aquaman 2.”
Why it matters: Following Heard’s domestic abuse allegations against Johnny Depp, a petition calling to remove her from her role as Mera has reached over four million signatures, according to Fan Fest.
What they’re saying: Hamada testified about the possible replacement of Heard, chalking it up to a lack of chemistry between Heard and costar Jason Momoa.
- “Editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie, but there was a concern that it took a lot of effort to get there,” Hamada said, according to Variety.
- Variety reported that Hamada credited “movie magic” and post-production editing for the seemingly dynamic relationship between Heard’s Mera and Momoa’s Aquaman in the first movie.
- Hamada says that Heard’s abuse allegations did not affect their casting decisions whatsoever.
Details: So far, Heard will still be in “Aquaman 2,” but her lawyers argued that she nearly lost the role and could not renegotiate for a higher salary due to the backlash she’s received over her allegations, per Variety.
- Heard testified that while maintaining her role, the directors cut down her scenes in “Aquaman 2” significantly, according to Entertainment Weekly.
- Heard is seeking $100 million in a defamation counterclaim against Depp.
- The trial will end this Friday, May 27, and is available to watch via YouTube livestream.