Last film by Snyderverse (DC superhero adaptations from Warner Studios), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom doesn't seem to have the same success as its predecessor. Between Elon Musk's intervention to save his ex Amber Heard's role, the rumors about Jason Momoa being drunk on set, and the filming of new scenes, there is no shortage of problems. Condition…
On the set of the first “Aquaman”, released in 2018, Jason Momoa presented Warner Studios with a summary of the project “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”. This sequel is scheduled for release in 2022, again with James Wan at the helm. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprises his role as David Kane, aka Black Manta, Aquaman's nemesis, Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm Marius, Aquaman's half-brother, while Nicole Kidman plays his mother and Amber Heard returns as Mera, the hero's wife . A few production delays later, the second feature film about the sea superhero is about to be released.
Photo provided by Warner Bros. Entertainment & DC
The Amber Heard affair
Sources close to both the production and Amber Heard have confirmed that the actress was almost fired following the release of the first feature. Questionable? The lack of chemistry between Heard and Jason Momoa, as highlighted in the letter James Wan and the studios sent to Karl Austen, the actress' lawyer. However, insiders argue that Amber Heard was originally hired after an audition with Jason Momoa and that everything was so successful that she was chosen from three candidates.
…and the intervention of Elon Musk
Yet the studios never kicked Amber Heard out, simply because Elon Musk, the actress's former boyfriend, did so, say sources close to the studios and who spoke in the pages of Variety. You sent the production a particularly threatening letter. Your lawyer promised to “burn everything” if she didn't appear in the second part.
Jason Momoa's attitude
During the libel trial between Amber Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp, notes from the actress's sessions with her therapist were released. She specifically mentioned that Jason Momoa arrived on the film set drunk, had the bad taste of dressing up as Johnny Depp, and that even James Wan treated her “like an outcast” because of her legal issues with her ex. DC representatives have strongly denied the allegations and emphasized the professional and respectful demeanor of both Momoa and Wan.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, in cinemas from December 22nd, 2023. Photo provided by Warner Bros. Entertainment & DC
The deleted scenes
Another sensitive issue is the fact that at least two scenes with Amber Heard were cut from the final version. The first part pits Mera's character against Black Manta and the second part is a love scene between Mera and Aquaman. Additionally, Jason Momoa stopped following Amber Heard on Instagram a few months ago, completely public proof that nothing is going well between the two former colleagues.
…and the scenes were shot again
Although an anonymous Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom employee insisted that the feature cost less than expected (the production budget was said to be $205 million), filming went ahead on schedule and subsequent filming only took about a week had, there were persistent concerns about rumors of structural problems. Apparently, the film's editing had to be redone twice without satisfying the test groups of moviegoers, and the scenes were reshot until the writers' strike and then the actors' strike began.
Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, in cinemas from December 22nd, 2023. Photo provided by Warner Bros. Entertainment & DC
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom floods cinemas from December 22nd.