In Hollywood, even the deep-sea drama of Aquaman isn’t immune to the tides of controversy, as revealed by the saga surrounding Amber Heard’s role in the film franchise.

The former president of DC Studios, Walter Hamada, recently shed light on why Heard’s presence in the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, was up for debate—not for the reasons you might think.

Amber Heard reprised her role as Mera, the queen of the sea, alongside Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry in the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman, which garnered mixed reviews but achieved enough success to spawn a sequel.

Credit: Dave Benett / Getty

However, her continued involvement in the franchise became clouded with speculation during her high-profile legal entanglements with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

During a trial, Heard expressed her struggles to maintain her role in the sequel.

“I fought hard to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film,” Heard said in court.

She described receiving revised scripts that significantly reduced her action scenes and overall presence, stating: “They basically took a bunch out of my role. They just removed a bunch.”

Addressing these changes, Walter Hamada brought a different perspective to the table, countering claims that these decisions were influenced by her legal issues with Depp.

Instead, Hamada pointed to a lack of chemistry between Heard and Momoa as a pivotal factor, a sentiment echoed by fans and critics alike.

“They didn’t really have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada explained via People, noting that while movie magic can often bridge such gaps, it sometimes requires considerable effort.

This revelation aligns with social media reactions where some fans noted the palpable tension and lack of chemistry in their on-screen interactions.

Tweets from viewers highlighted how this dynamic didn’t translate well on screen, impacting the audience’s reception of the characters’ relationships.

Despite the challenges, Heard did return for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which premiered in 2023 to a warm reception from audiences, though critics remained less enthused.

The behind-the-scenes drama, as well as the public and critical reaction, underscores the complex interplay of personal dynamics and professional demands in Hollywood’s blockbuster productions.