Amber Heard axed from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom following defamation trial against Johnny Depp?

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have dominated the news across the globe in recent weeks, following the hearing of a defamation suit from Depp. Following the verdict, the latest reports suggest that Heard is set to lose her role as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. 

According to gossip website Just Jared, an insider revealed that Amber Heard is set to lose her role in the Aquaman sequel and that the makers are looking to recast. 

“Warner Bros. decided to recast Amber Heard’s role after screentesting the movie. They are going to be doing reshoots with Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman,” they said. 

2018’s Aquaman, which stars Jason Momoa as the titular hero, also features Amber Heard as Mera, The princess of Xebel, who was also Arthur Curry’s love interest. She also played the role in Justice League. There has been public outcry for the studio to axe the actor from the role following the public defamation trial. 

“The rumour mill continues as it has from day one – inaccurate, insensitive and slightly insane,” Heard’s spokesperson told Variety following the reports of her losing the role in the sequel. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is helmed by James Wan, who directed the highly successful first movie. Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman are the other stars who will appear in the movie, 

The original Aquaman movie was a big hit with the fans following its release, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. The sequel is scheduled to hit theatres on March 17, 2023.