Update: This article was updated on 13 May, 2023. by Soubick Das (Editor In-Chief) to meet our new editorial policy and guidelines to make it factually correct.
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Is Amber Heard Fired From Aquaman 2?
There have been many rumors about Amber Heard being fired from Aquaman 2, but they have been debunked by various sources. According to Screen Rant, Amber Heard has not been fired from the DCEU’s Aquaman 2 and will continue to play Mera in the franchise. Variety.com, also confirmed that she has not been cut from the movie, despite a viral report saying otherwise. A spokesperson for Heard said in a statement to Variety, “The rumor mill continues as it has from day one — inaccurate, insensitive and slightly insane.” However, Heard did testify that she was initially released from her contract amid the negative publicity surrounding her relationship with ex-husband Johnny Depp, and that she fought to stay in the movie. She also said that her role was pared down and that she did not know how much she would be in the final cut.
The Viral Petition Demanding Amber Heard’s Removal!
The viral petition demanding Amber Heard’s removal from Aquaman 2 is a Change.org petition that was launched in 2020 by Jeanne Larson. The petition has reached over 3 million signatures as of May 2, 2022. The petition was created after Johnny Depp was asked to resign from his role in Fantastic Beasts following his libel case loss against The Sun newspaper, which called him a “wife-beater” based on Heard’s testimony. Depp is suing Heard for defamation over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post about surviving domestic violence, though she never mentioned Depp by name in the article. The trial is ongoing and both parties have accused each other of abuse.
James Wan Confirming Amber Heard’s Removal From Aquaman 2?
There is no official confirmation from James Wan or Warner Bros. that Amber Heard has been removed from Aquaman 2. However, according to a report by IGN, James Wan and Jason Momoa wanted to keep Amber Heard for Aquaman 2 and fought to prevent her recasting. The report cites the testimony of entertainment consultant Kathryn Arnold, who said that Warner Bros. was ready to fire Heard from the sequel due to the negative publicity surrounding her defamation trial with Johnny Depp. However, Momoa and Wan were “committed to her” and “adamant that she was in the film”. Arnold also claimed that Heard’s role was “pared down” and that she did not know how much she would be in the final cut. DC Films President Walter Hamada denied that Heard’s role was reduced, and said that the sequel was always conceived as a “buddy comedy” between Aquaman and his half-brother, King Orm.