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DC reportedly cancels Amber Heard’s contract amid abuse allegations

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The ongoing Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial, now heading into its 6th week, has resulted in an influx of revelations on both sides–some of which have less to do with the couple’s tumultuous relationship and more to do with each individual’s personal acting work and previous relationships.

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One “bombshell” revelation related to Amber Heard‘s contract with DC and Warner Bros. is perhaps one of the most damning for Depp’s ex-wife and her career in Hollywood.

During the final day of her cross-examination by Johnny Depp‘s legal team, Amber Heard revealed that her screentime as Princess Mera in Aquaman 2 has been significantly reduced. As a part of her inflammatory exchange with Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez in which she kept to her claims that her ex-husband Johnny Depp carried out acts of domestic violence and sexual violence against her, Amber Heard confirmed that she had been released from her contract with DC.

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“They released me from my contract,” Heard testified. “I’ve fought to stay in [the film].”

Princess Mera was first introduced in Joss Whedon’s theatrical cut of Justice League in 2017. According to StealthOptional, Amber Heard revealed that though she still has a role as Princess Mera in the upcoming film, she isn’t sure how much fans will see of her on the screen once the final cut is released.

“As I said, I don’t know if I will even be in the final cut or how much I will be [in it],” Heard testified. “It was difficult to stay in the movie.”

Amber Heard Expecting To Return As Mera In 'Aquaman 2'

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Heard continued with her testimony, giving more details about her reduced role in Aquaman 2, saying she was given a script that would have less of Heard’s role in the film. For example, a scene in which Heard’s character fights another character in the film was scrapped.

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“I was given a script and given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in [them], that had depicted my character and another character–without giving away any spoilers away–the two characters fighting with one another,” Heard explained from the stand. “They basically took a bunch out of my role. They didn’t . . . they just removed a bunch.”

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Before the beginning of the Johnny Depp defamation trial, Heard’s role in Aquaman 2 was reportedly much larger. StealthOptional.com reports that Heard’s character–Princess Mera–was to be included in more Aquaman films. It’s possible Mera could have ultimately been granted a spin-off from Aquaman, but now it seems like that might be highly questionable.

Amber Heard Shows Off Incredible New 'Aquaman' Image Featuring Mera - Heroic Hollywood

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According to ScreenRant, Amber Heard has become more well-known because of her personal life with actor Johnny Depp than for her acting credits.

She is currently entangled in a very public, bare-it-all trial inside a Virginia courtroom with her ex-husband Johnny Depp, who filed suit against her for “no less than $50 million” in March 2019, alleging defamation resulting from a seething oped she penned and published in The Washington Post in December 2018. Depp says the piece has cost him his reputation as a Hollywood actor and multiple prospective acting roles.

depp in trial

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When Heard was unsuccessful in getting the case thrown out of court, she countersued Depp for $100 million, continuing her campaign against Depp, hailing him as an abuser, a drug addict, and an alcoholic.

As part of the preparation for the Johnny Depp defamation trial which began on April 11, a deposition taken revealed much about Heard’s Mera role that had nothing to do with her current legal woes. In the deposition, it was revealed that Warner Bros. almost cut Heard completely from Aquaman 2–because of her lack of on-screen chemistry with co-star Jason Momoa.

It was also reported that Amber Heard was restricted from negotiating an increase in pay for her role in the second installment of Aquaman, though such negotiations are considered a fairly standard practice in Hollywood when a sequel to a box office hit is in the works. It’s unclear why this was not an option given to Heard.

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ScreenRant.com states that Heard’s initial contract with DC was for three Mera appearances: in Justice League, Aquaman, and Aquaman 2:

“That means that even if Heard had to fight to stay in ‘Aquaman 2,’ her DCEU contract was ultimately fulfilled by her work on the sequel. What may well be related to Heard’s personal controversies though is Warner Bros.’ decision to not sign her to a new contract for further DC appearances afterAquaman 2,’ which they certainly could’ve attempted to do. It remains to be seen where Heard’s apparent departure from the DCEU will leave the character of Mera.”

The Johnny Depp defamation trial resumes this week with Johnny Depp himself reportedly heading back to the stand.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!