Jason Momoa Drunk on Set and Elon Musk Threatens to Burn the House Down if Amber is Removed, Here's the Drama of 'AQUAMEN AND THE LOST KINGDOM'

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Rachel Carisa Oswandi

After experiencing many delays, DC fans are now only two months away from the release of the second sequel of AQUAMAN. As the release date approaches, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM is being hit by various controversies and dramas.Mid-September, when Warner Bros released the $215 million trailer for AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM , controversial notes from the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard legal case emerged on Reddit on the same day, causing problems for the studio that made the film. 

According to Variety, Johnny Depp fans paid court fees to release documents from Amber's therapist, Dr. Dawn Hughes.A raw note containing scribbles on legal paper, which was part of last year's high-profile trial where Johnny mostly won, described a hostile atmosphere on the set of AQUAMAN where Jason Momoa allegedly dressed up as Johnny and pushed for Amber to be fired from her role as superhero Mera.

In the note revealed on Wednesday (11/10/2023), Jason Momoa behaved badly, "Jason said he wanted me fired," the note reads. "Jason came to set drunk. Dressed up like Johnny. Beserta memiliki semua cincin.

Selain Jason, sang sutradara James Wan juga disebut memperlakukan Amber seperti orang buangan sejak persidangannya dengan sang suami Johnny.

Pada catatan tersebut Amber menuliskan, 'Dia meninggikan suaranya saat bicara kepadaku. 'Aku bahkan tidak bisa memposting tentang Aquaman' membuatnya terlihat seperti salahku. Aku mengatakan 'Maafkan aku' tulis catatan Hughes terhadap James. Kemudian dilanjutkan dengan 'Tidak ada yang bisa berfoto selfie dengan saya di lokasi syuting karena pemadaman listrik.'

1. DC Spokesperson Clarification

Jason Momoa (Chris Hyde - © 2018 Getty Images)

Quoted from Variety, a spokesperson for Jason declined to comment, but a DC spokesperson denied the portrayal of Amber, stating, "Jason Momoa acted professionally throughout the filming of AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM. Others agree that “Jason works hard, enjoys drinking beer occasionally like everyone else, but does not show up drunk on set.”

A source present at the London shooting location in 2021 added that both stars get along well and are seen joking together. "And he doesn't dress like Johnny Depp. He always dresses in a bohemian style."

In response to James Wan's attitude towards Amber, the DC spokesperson said, "James is known for treating cast members and crew with respect and creating a positive and collaborative environment on set — the film AQUAMAN is no exception."

2. Amber Heard's Response

Amber Heard (imdb.com)

Amber refused to comment, but a source close to Johnny Depp's ex-wife confirmed that the note referred to the shooting location of AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM and reflected a session from December 27, 2021. Another source close to Amber said that her lawyer opposed the publication of the therapy note.

3. Amber Heard Almost Removed

Amber Heard (© TPG Images)

Although Amber was confirmed to appear as Mera in this sequel, she almost lost the role. As reported by Variety, sources from both sides revealed that after the release of AQUAMAN in 2018, the studio and James decided to remove Amber from the sequel due to a lack of chemistry with Momoa. They even sent a letter to her lawyer, Karl Austen, to inform her of their decision.

Former DC Films boss Walter Hamada testified in the defamation trial about “intimacy issues.” The sources emphasized that the decision to drop Heard had nothing to do with Johnny and occurred before he sued the actress in 2019. Similarly, Jason was not involved in the decision-making process. 

However, other sources refute the narrative of a lack of chemistry, considering that Amber underwent a chemistry test with Jason before getting the role of Mera and beat out two other actresses who underwent similar chemistry tests, including Abbey Lee.

4. Received Threats from Elon Musk

Elon Musk (© TPG Images)

In the end, the studio never made the decision to fire Amber because her ex-boyfriend, Elon Musk, had one of his litigators send a "scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros, threatening to burn down the house" if Amber was not brought back for the sequel, according to a source familiar with the behind-the-scenes dispute. Warner Bros gave in and released the second sequel with Amber.

(kpl/rcl)