Amber Heard was allegedly uncomfortable on the Aquaman 2 set when co-star Jason Momoa arrived intoxicated and dressed as Johnny Depp.
Fans were unsure if Heard, 37, would return to the DC universe after a high-profile defamation case with her ex-husband threatened to jeopardise both sides’ careers.
A jury was asked to decide whether Heard, 60, defamed Depp in a Washington Post op-ed penned in 2018, in which she addressed domestic abuse but did not identify him.
The Aquaman 2 teaser, titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, revealed that the Danish Girl actress would reprise her role as Mera.
While fans assumed the conjecture would end there, papers initially subpoenaed by Depp’s attorneys have emerged, painting an uneasy image on set.
According to notes written by Heard’s therapist, leading man Momoa was asking for Heard, who is presently on crutches, to be pulled from the picture.
The records were discovered after Depp’s supporters paid court fees for evidence release following the contentious trial in which the Pirates of the Caribbean star triumphed.
‘Jason said he wanted me fired,’ read the notes according to Variety. ‘Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.’
The notes of Dr. Dawn Hughes purportedly pertain to a session she had with Heard in late December 2021, soon before the trial began.
According to a source close to the actress, her lawyers contested the release of Heard’s personal treatment notes, which were first subpoenaed by Depp’s attorneys during discovery.
According to a DC spokeswoman, Momoa ‘conducted himself in a professional manner at all times’ on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
According to both parties, Heard was almost sacked from the franchise after the first picture in 2018 owing to a lack of chemistry with Momoa.
The studio and director James Wan even addressed a letter to her attorneys about the decision, but DC insists it has nothing to do with the Depp trial.
Despite calling the relationship ‘brutal’ in his memoirs, Heard’s companion at the time, Elon Musk, chose to intervene on his girlfriend’s behalf.
According to reports, he had one of his litigators send a “scorched-earth letter” to Warner Bros., threatening to “burn the house down.”
Because of the protracted legal struggle, the London Fields actress felt she was treated like a pariah on set, especially by Wan.
‘He raised his voice @ me — “I can’t even post about Aquaman” — made it like it was my fault – I said “I’m sorry”,’ wrote Hughes in the notes, reportedly in reference to Wan.
Defending Wan, the DC spokesperson added: ‘James is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set — the Aquaman films were no exception.’