Earlier this week, the jury in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation case heard testimony from Walter Hamada, the president of DC Films. The testimony, which came in the form of a deposition that was recorded in March, revealed that DC Films chose to reduce Heard’s screen time as Mera in the upcoming film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as the film’s creative team felt that she did not have good on-screen chemistry with leading man Jason Momoa in the original Aquaman film from 2018. Legal experts say that Hamada’s testimony seriously undercuts Heard’s argument that statements made by Depp led to her almost being cut from the upcoming film.
Going deeper into Hamada’s testimony, the filmmaker revealed that producers at DC Films expressed concerns about Heard and Momoa’s chemistry during postproduction on the original Aquaman film and considered recasting her character. Nevertheless, the studio still went with Heard in the role by using creative editing practices. By splicing multiple takes into scenes and adding an appropriate soundtrack, Hamada tells that Aquaman‘s creative team was able to make Heard and Momoa’s chemistry seem more genuine.
In planning for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2018, Hamada says that filmmakers took into account the lack of chemistry between Heard and Momoa in the original film and reduced the actress’s role in the sequel accordingly. Hamada adds that Heard’s dispute with Depp also played no role in Heard’s part in the film or her ability to negotiate her contract. In examining the filmmaking process behind the sequel, Hamada says that Heard’s role in the film has not changed since the start of preproduction. Hamada also revealed that the studio never considered Heard to be Momoa’s co-lead, instead seeing Orm actor Patrick Wilson to be the film’s star alongside Momoa.
The Depp-Heard case has sparked international interest. At its basis is a 2018 article Heard wrote in the Washington Post where she alleged that the iconic actor had abused her during their two-year marriage. Depp filed suit against Heard for $50 million, alleging that her statements were false and cost him roles in several films, including the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts franchises. Heard responded with a counterclaim of $100 million, arguing that Depp’s portrayal of her allegations as a hoax has been detrimental to her career. Depp’s attorneys are expected to focus on refuting Heard’s claims for the remainder of the week and closing statements are scheduled for Friday.
