Jason Momoa reportedly faced accusations of unprofessional behaviour from his Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom co-star Amber Heard, including claims that he arrived drunk on set and deliberately copied Johnny Depp's appearance to make her uncomfortable. The allegations surfaced through previously-sealed documents from Heard's legal battle with Depp, which became public in September 2023.
Among the released materials were handwritten notes from sessions with her therapist, Dr. Dawn Hughes, documenting her reported experiences while filming the DC sequel in 2021. One entry dated 27 December 2021 contained several striking claims about Momoa's behaviour: 'Jason said he wanted me fired. Jason drunk — late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.'
The claims were disputed by people familiar with the film's production.
Why Did Amber Heard Think Jason Momoa Was Copying Johnny Depp?
The accusation came against the backdrop of Heard and Depp's highly-publicised relationship and subsequent legal battle. Heard reportedly believed that Momoa's appearance was reminiscent of Depp's, with his choice of accessories adding to her suspicions. The notes also suggested that she felt unwelcome on the production, claiming that Momoa wanted her removed from the sequel.
However, the suggestion that Momoa was deliberately imitating Depp was challenged by someone familiar with the film's production. A production insider disputed the allegation, explaining that Momoa had always favoured a bohemian fashion style. The source also rejected claims that the actor arrived drunk at work, although they acknowledged that he occasionally enjoyed a beer.
DC Studios also defended its leading man, with a spokesperson stating that Momoa had 'conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom."' Momoa's representative declined to comment on the allegations.
Amber Heard's Future in the 'Aquaman' Sequel Was Already Uncertain
Amber Heard thanks fans for their support after her Aquaman return:“After all this time, Aquaman 2 made its splash (sorry, it’s too easy) 💦 Thank you to all of my fans for the overwhelming support and love in Mera’s AQ return. Thank you so much❤️” https://t.co/LM0xqMjJ70
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 3, 2024
Interestingly, the controversy surrounding Heard's involvement in the sequel did not begin with these reported disagreements. Warner Bros. had reportedly considered replacing the actress following the first Aquaman film, with concerns about her chemistry with Momoa among the reasons discussed.
Former DC Films president Walter Hamada also discussed the chemistry concerns during the 2022 defamation trial. Momoa was not involved in the studio's decision-making process, despite Heard's reported belief that he wanted her fired.
Heard eventually returned as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, although reports indicated that several of her scenes were removed from the final film. One of the scenes removed from the sequel included an action sequence and a romantic scene involving Momoa.
The actress also reportedly described tensions with director James Wan, claiming that he raised his voice at her over restrictions surrounding the film's publicity. DC separately defended Wan's conduct, describing his working environment as respectful and collaborative.
The Allegations Remain Disputed Despite the Court Document Release
The therapist's notes were among the previously-sealed materials connected to Depp and Heard's 2022 defamation trial. However, they were ruled inadmissible on hearsay grounds, meaning their public release did not establish the truth of the claims against Momoa.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom eventually premiered on 20 December 2023, with Momoa returning as Arthur Curry and Heard reprising her role as Mera. The film grossed $440.18 million (£333.2 million) worldwide. While the film marked another chapter for DC's underwater superhero, the behind-the-scenes allegations added an unexpected layer to its production history.
