There have been multiple reports of behind-the-scenes strife over the course of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's production, but according to director James Wan, a lot of the stories that made their way online have been greatly exaggerated, if not outright fabricated.
Following initial rumors that the DC Comics sequel had undergone extensive reshoots after a series of disastrous test-screenings, the final cut of the movie was referred to by more than one source as a "mess." More recently, details from Mera actress Amber Heard's therapy sessions (made available due to the court case) claimed that co-star Jason Momoa created a hostile working environment by dressing like her ex Johnny Depp while intoxicated.
Heard also alleged that both Momoa and Wan wanted her "fired" from the sequel, and were at least partially responsible for getting her screen time in the movie reduced to just two scenes.
While Wan doesn't directly address Heard's comments, he does weigh in on the "narrative" that has emerged from the rumors, in general, while chatting to Empire.
“I’ve had to learn to be more Zen in dealing with all the noise around me, for sure. I’m a pretty private person. I don’t get on social media and have fights, but it’s difficult because this narrative has emerged that is not the reality. The noise is fun to write about, and it gets clicks, but people don’t know the truth.”
Wan also played down those reshoot reports. “We probably did seven or eight days,” he says, “which is nothing for a movie of this size. It was just spread out because it’s so hard to get your actors back once you’ve finished the initial shoot.”
As for the rumor that recently-appointed DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn had more influence on the movie than many realized, Wan once again stresses that The Lost Kingdom is very much his film.
“Look, I’m a collaborative filmmaker — I welcome people’s thoughts and opinions,” he tells the mag. “But ultimately, I feel I have more than proven myself. So, it was like: ‘This is the movie I want to make.’”
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be the final film in the current "DCEU" era, making a threequel highly unlikely. If it did happen, though, Wan wouldn't rule out returning to the director's chair.
“I haven’t directed a third movie [in a series] before, so I’d be open to doing another [Aquaman] if I got the same freedom I’ve had on these first two," he says. "I’m not sure what direction [Gunn and Safran] are going in, though, so who knows? I’ve learned to never say never.”
"Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, no, after w balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to swim into theaters on December 20.