Shortly after Warner Bros. debuted the first trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, supposed documents from the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial surfaced on Reddit.
Because the details couldn't be verified, we didn't pay much attention at the time, but Variety has now confirmed that the documents themselves - if not the accusations outlined in them - are indeed legit.
It seems Depp fans paid the court fees for the release of documents from Heard’s therapist, and the actress claims that her Lost Kingdom co-star Jason Momoa attempted to get her fired, and dressed like her ex while intoxicated on the sequel's set.
“Jason said he wanted me fired,” the notes say. “Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.”
Momoa's rep declined to respond, but a DC spokesperson did weigh in:
“Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” Others echoed that sentiment. “Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn’t show up drunk to set. And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style.”
Heard also said she felt "unsupported" by director James Wan, and "treated like a pariah because of her high-profile legal battle with her ex-husband."
Here's the thing, though: Heard was almost fired, and likely would have been if not for her then boyfriend Elon Musk.
According to Variety's sources, Wan and the studio had decided to drop Heard from the movie (there's no mention of her potentially being replaced as Mera) due to her "lack of chemistry with Momoa." This was supposedly unrelated to the Depp trial and Momoa was not involved in the decision-making, but one source does note that Heard did a chemistry test with Momoa before securing the part, beating two other actresses who did a similar chemistry test, including Abbey Lee.
Ultimately, Heard was able to remain on as Mera because Musk had one of his litigators send a “scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down” if she wasn't allowed to return.
This would explain reports that Heard had her screen-time significantly reduced, with two key scenes - an action sequence with Mera fighting Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and a love scene with Momoa - hitting the cutting room floor.
The movie's cast and director are not doing any promotion right now due to the strikes, but if they conclude over the next few weeks - and they are expected to - the Aquaman 2 junkets are going to be very interesting!
"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.