The first trailer for ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘ has been released, and it features every cast member except Amber Heard‘s Mera. In the opening scene, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is shown with a baby, confirming rumors that Heard’s role has been significantly reduced, possibly to just 15–20 minutes of screen time.

Amber Heard Reveals Role Reduction in Aquaman 2 Amid Johnny Depp’s Defamation Trial

During Johnny Depp’s defamation trial, Heard herself claimed that her role in Aquaman 2 was reduced due to her ongoing legal battle with Depp and their mutual abuse allegations. She mentioned receiving a script with action scenes but then receiving revised scripts that removed those scenes and reduced her role. Heard said, “I was given a script, then given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in them that depicted my character and another character—without giving any spoilers away—two characters fighting with one another.” Heard added, “They basically took a bunch out of my role. They just removed a bunch.”

While asking about the issue with director James Wan, he denied reducing Amber Heard’s screen time in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ He clarifies that the second movie was always meant to focus on the relationship between Arthur and Orm, not on Arthur and Mera. Wan explains, “The first Aquaman was Arthur and Mera’s journey. The second movie was always going to be Arthur and Orm. So, the first was a romance action-adventure movie, and the second is a bromance action-adventure movie. We’ll leave it at that.”

Directed by James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ serves as the sequel to 2018’s ‘Aquaman’ and marks the 15th and concluding installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family, and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

Produced by Atomic Monster and Peter Safran, will debut internationally on December 20, 2023, and in North America on the same date. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute it worldwide.

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