DC Films Fans are infuriated that Amber Heard is still on the cast of Aquaman 2 despite the ongoing legal battles with her ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Amber Laura Heard, 35, is an American film and television actress. In 2017, she joined the DC Extended Universe to play Atlantean queen Mera in superhero films Justice League (2017), Aquaman (2018), and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021).
Amber was married to actor Johnny Depp from 2015 to 2017. Their divorce drew media attention as she accused him of being abusive through most of their relationship.
He then sued her for defamation in 2019 after Amber wrote an op-ed discussing being a public victim of domestic violence.
Last year, Johnny revealed that he has been “asked to resign” from the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts 3,” amid his legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. At that time, the actor’s fans were enraged with his dismissal.
Director James Wan revealed on Instagram that the Aquaman sequel, Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom has officially begun filming, 18 months ahead of its slated release in December 2022.
The director of “Aquaman 2” shared a photo from the set of the film. The picture featured a clapperboard on the floor of what appeared to be an ice cave with a caption: “Day One. #aquaman2”.
However, fans took to Twitter to boycott the movie and criticize the studio for allowing the actress to remain on the cast after she previously admitted to hitting Depp, despite her allegations that he was abusive during their marriage.
The hashtag #JusticeForDepp was trending on Twitter shortly after James’ Instagram post and many people let their feelings be heard.
Fans urged Warner Bros., the same studio behind the Fantastic Beasts franchise, to fire Amber, who returns for her role as Mera along with Jason Momoa in the sequel.
“Johnny Depp is unfairly fired by Warner Bros from playing Gellert Grindelwald in The Fantastic Beasts series and from some other projects as well,” one user wrote. “We demand justice. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.”
“Aquaman 2 has started filming and dear God amber heard is in it,” another commented. “The double standards in Hollywood are f**king ridiculous. Amber heard still has a career while Johnny Depp lost everything.”
The legendary actor’s supporters felt that this was unjust on him, as in January 2020, phone recordings were released where Amber Heard admitted to “hitting” Johnny.
Fans of both the DCEU franchise (of which Aquaman is a part of) and the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise have been campaigning on Twitter to have Amber Heard fired.
Following the trial, Johnny was ditched from the third chapter of the Harry Potter spin-off film franchise Fantastic Beasts. He was also dropped for Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean as the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow.
He was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen in the Fantastic Beasts movie and Disney ended up going with an all-female cast for the Pirates of the Caribbean film.
The actor has denied the claims of abuse but was once again denied permission to appeal the court’s ruling in March 2021.
Stephen Deuters, European president of Depp’s production company told London’s High Court that Amber was the one who subjected Johnny to “years of abuse”.
Johnny’s $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber is expected to begin next year.
Aquaman 2 starring Jason Momoa is set to release on December 16, 2022.