In a recent turn of events in the Depp-Heard defamation trial, Johnny Depp’s legal team started their counter-argument with the video statement of Warner Bros executive Walter Hamada. In the video, Hamada said that all the concerns regarding casting Amber Heard in the Aquaman 2 were mainly because of Heard’s chemistry with Jason Momoa.
In her countersue to Depp’s defamation lawsuit, Amber Heard claimed that her role in the movie was reduced only because of Johnny’s “smear campaign” in the form of legal proceedings against her.
On the other hand, Hamada testified in a video that there was a delay in the studio’s option to cast Heard in the sequel because the director and his team were concerned about Heard’s chemistry with Jason Momoa.
“You know it when you see it. There was no chemistry between them,” Hamada said.
He said they all had to put excellent team effort into editing scenes between Amber and Jason. According to the executive, their interactions had to be improved and edited later.
“A good editor and filmmaker can pick the right takes, can pick the right moments,” he added.
On the contrary, Heard’s attorney Elaine Bredehoft suggested that such editing is only a normal part of any filmmaking process. To which Hamada said,
“Sometimes it is easy, but not always.” He said that improving the chemistry between Amber and Jason was a difficult task for all of them, and they had to put a great deal of effort into making the two actors look excellent and well-connected on screen. “It wasn’t easy, but the results worked,” he added.
He also shared that the director even considered casting someone else for this role who would have a better and more “natural chemistry” with Jason. Still, ultimately, the role was given to Amber Heard nonetheless.
Last week Amber’s agent Jessica Kovacevic, testified that Heard’s movie contract clearly stated that she would be paid the amount of 2 million dollars upfront for the sequel, which is reportedly double what she made from the first movie i.e., Aquaman 1. But according to Kovacevic, Amber Heard’s career majorly suffered because of the lawsuit against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, followed by all the negative publicity.
In her counterclaim, Amber also contended that the claim made by Waldman against her, in which he said that she fabricated all the domestic abuse allegations against her ex-husband, damaged her reputation.
The Warner Bros executive denied Heard’s statements and said they never considered paying her more for the sequel. Her pay was not affected by anything said by either Johnny Depp or his attorney Adam Waldman.
He also said that the size of Amber’s role in the movie was determined by the early development of the script in 2018.
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