James Wan addresses why Amber Heard's role in Aquaman 2 seems reduced. Plus, get insights on the film's challenges and new DC Universe.
James Wan, the director of 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' has addressed speculation that Warner Bros. was hesitant to include Amber Heard in the highly anticipated sequel. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wan shed light on the forthcoming movie, its place in the DC Universe, and the swirling rumors surrounding the cast.
Overcoming the Pandemic and Studio Transitions During Filming
Producing the sequel to the original 'Aquaman,' which was a runaway hit featuring Jason Momoa and raking in $1.1 billion globally, presented numerous challenges. According to Wan, navigating the complexities of filmmaking during a pandemic escalated the hurdles substantially. "The regular difficulties of filmmaking get exponentially harder when you're working on a big-budget project, and the pandemic just elevated those challenges," Wan noted.
Adding another layer of complexity, the film experienced disruptions in post-production. These were triggered by three sets of reshoots amid an executive shake-up at DC Studios, now managed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. The executive restructuring led to some initial confusion about where 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' would fit in the newly envisioned DC Universe.
Wan commented, "Initially, it was uncertain whether our film would precede or follow 'The Flash' in the release schedule. That said, the ultimate strength of this sequel lies in its independence from other DC narratives."
Addressing Amber Heard's Reduced Role in the Sequel
Amid a high-profile defamation lawsuit involving Amber Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp, Heard had claimed that Warner Bros. "didn't want to include me" in the next 'Aquaman' installment. She indicated that her role was scaled back and her action scenes were diminished.
Wan, however, set the record straight. The director clarified that the sequel was never intended to focus on Mera, Amber Heard's character. Unlike the 2018 original, which revolved around both Mera and Aquaman, the upcoming movie was always designed to spotlight Aquaman's fraught relationship with his half-brother Orm, portrayed by Patrick Wilson.
"I had been clear about this right from the beginning," Wan stated. "The first 'Aquaman' explored Arthur and Mera's romantic adventure. The sequel was always going to emphasize the complex dynamics between Arthur and Orm. So, in essence, if the first was a love-driven action film, the second is all about the brotherly bonds and conflicts."
An Independent Chapter in the DC Universe Awaits
'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' is slated for release on December 20th, setting the stage for a fresh chapter in the DC Universe. While the film has faced a turbulent production process, from pandemic constraints to studio reshuffles and cast controversies, its final narrative appears to be strong enough to stand on its own.