A bombshell report alleges extra drama for DC’s Aquaman 2, with Amber Heard, Jason Momoa, and Elon Musk concerned.
Earlier than James Gunn and Peter Safran can sundown the remaining movies of DC‘s earlier regime with the discharge of Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom, the makers of superhero cinema will interact in battle with extra drama associated to tights and tantrums on and off set. In a brand new bombshell report from Selection, the outlet alleges a number of acts of strife on the $215 million-dollar tentpole. The whirlwind story begins when paperwork from Amber Heard’s therapist, Dr. Daybreak Hughes, regarding the actress’s defamation trial in opposition to Johnny Depp discovered their method onto Reddit. The notes describe a hostile work surroundings for Aquaman 2, citing an allegedly intoxicated Jason Momoa dressed like Depp who tried to have Heard fired off the movie. Heard’s continued participation in Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom is a topic of a lot debate on-line. Depp’s defenders name for the movie’s director, James Wan, to delete Heard’s scenes, although it feels like their cries have been brushed apart.
“Jason stated he wished me fired,” the notes say. “Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all of the rings too.”
Momoa’s rep declined to remark, however a DC spokesperson got here to the actor’s protection, saying, “Jason Momoa carried out himself in an expert method always on the set of ‘Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom.’” Different crew members refuted Heard’s claims, including, “Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer from time to time like everybody, however doesn’t present up drunk to set.” In the meantime, an insider on the London set in 2021 added that the 2 stars obtained alongside and had been seen laughing collectively. “And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has at all times wearing that bohemian model.”
Along with feedback about Momoa’s alleged conduct on the Aquaman 2 set, the notes additionally say Heard felt unsupported by Wan, who the Mera actress says handled her like an outcast due to her ongoing authorized drama with Depp.
“He raised his voice @ me — ‘I can’t even put up about Aquaman’ — made it prefer it was my fault – I stated ‘I’m sorry,’” say Hughes’ notes regarding Wan. “No one may take selfies with me on set given blackout.” Whereas Wan selected to not remark, crew members say the director is at all times skilled on set.
Curiously, Heard was nearly fired from Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom after Aquaman swam into theaters in 2018. Wan wished the tide to take Heard out of the sequel as a result of an absence of chemistry with Momoa. Wan despatched a letter to Heard’s legal professional about letting her go. Momoa didn’t issue into the choice to oust Heard. Nevertheless, one other supply near the challenge stated the “lack of chemistry” claims had been unfounded, noting that Heard beat two different actresses for the position after testing positively with Momoa.
Caught between a rock and a tough place, the studio roughly had the choice made for them when Heard’s former boyfriend, Elon Musk, despatched a “scorched-earth” letter to the studio, threatening to “burn the home down” if Heard didn’t return for Aquaman 2. Musk has not responded to questions concerning the heated trade.
Along with the drama talked about above, Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom is treading water on its strategy to cinemas. After mediocre responses to the sequel by take a look at audiences, Wan recut the movie in 2022. Sadly, the movie sounds prefer it’s nonetheless preventing in opposition to an undertow of disappointment. “The film is like this echo of regimes,” says one insider. “It’s the final remnant of the Snyderverse, and nobody actually desires to take possession of it.”
Neither Momoa nor Heard can promote the movie whereas the SAG-AFTRA strike continues. If the strike ends, the duo will hit the press circuit instantly, getting as a lot promotion as time permits. We all know at the very least two of Heard’s scenes had been reduce from Aquaman 2, together with a combat with Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and a romantic sequence with Momoa.
Sadly, DC continues to wrestle in opposition to behind-the-scenes drama, lawsuits, and harsh on-line assaults from its fanbase. We will solely hope Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom ushers the previous DC regime out with a band fairly than a whimper.