Amber Heard has responded to rumors that she’s been cut from Aquaman 2, which has already been filmed and is set to be released later this year.
On Tuesday (June 14), an unidentified "insider" told the outlet, Just Jared, that the 36-year-old's role as Mera in the upcoming film, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, had been recast.
"Warner Bros. decided to recast Amber Heard’s role after screen testing the movie. They are going to be doing reshoots with Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman," the source said.
However, in a statement to Variety, Heard's spokespeople were quick to deny the report, saying "the rumor mill continues as it has from day one – inaccurate, insensitive and slightly insane."
The website that spread the inaccurate viral news later updated its report. It said that sources close to the production had allegedly revealed to them that Heard had "not been completely cut from the film" but that she "has a small role.”
However, despite Heard's representative denying the rumor, the outlet insisted that other sources believe that the actress was being completely recast in the movie.
The Danish Girl actress had a role as the love interest of Aquaman, played by Jason Mamoa, in both the first film and in Justice League.
During the highly publicized defamation trial, the actress alleged she had to "fight really hard" to keep her role, due to the negative publicity from her 59-year-old former husband's abuse allegations against her.
Heard revealed to the Fairfax courtroom that she received a new version of the movie sequel’s script that withdrew a fight scene involving her - resulting in a "very pared-down version" of her part.
After much speculation, DC Films chief Walter Hamada confirmed that the studio had thought of recasting Heard’s character in the sequel, not because of the trial, but because of a lack of chemistry between Heard and Momoa.
Additionally, Hamada denied that the studio had reduced her role in the sequel.
Both Heard and Depp’s careers are uncertain in the aftermath of the trial, which launched a storm of social media commentary about their tumultuous marriage.
On June 1, the jury ruled overwhelmingly in favor of The Edwards Scissorhands actor and awarded him over $10 million in damages. In a separate verdict, Heard was awarded $2 million in damages via a counterclaim.
