Amber Heard representative denies actress is being recast for 'Aquaman 2'

Confusion has arisen after it was reported a Warner Bros 'insider' said Heard was being cut

Amber Heard hugs her lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, after the jury found her liable for defamation against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp on June 1, 2022. Pool / EPA

Johnny Depp's lawyers Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew arrive to give a statement to the media outside the Fairfax County Courthouse after the jury found Heard liable for defamation. AP

Fans of Depp react to the verdict outside the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse. EPA

Supporters Depp and supporters of Heard stand outside the courthouse during the trial. EPA

Amber Heard said her sister, Whitney Henriquez, got into a physical altercation with Johnny Depp. AP

Heard described several instances where she alleged Depp physically abused her – some of her testimony turning extremely graphic. AFP

Travis McGivern, a security guard for Depp, detailed a number of volatile arguments between Depp and Heard. EPA

A fan of Johnny Depp waits outside the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP

Depp fans cheer outside the courthouse. Reuters

Clinical and forensic psychologist Shannon Curry testifies on behalf of Depp, saying Heard suffers from borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. She made the diagnosis after reviewing her medical records and speaking with her over 12 hours. EPA

Forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes said Heard suffered from PTSD due to the violence she allegedly experienced at Depp's hand. AP

Depp denied ever having struck Heard but admitted he has struggled with alcohol and drug use. EPA

Heard became emotional when giving details of alleged past abuse. AFP

Christi Dembrowski, Depp's older sister, said Heard had been verbally abusive towards him. AFP

Raquel Pennington, a friend of Heard, becomes emotional as a picture of Heard is seen on screen as evidence of alleged abuse. EPA

Kate Moss, a former girlfriend of Depp, said he did not push her down the stairs. EPA

A 'Pirates of the Caribbean'-themed vehicle sits in front of the courthouse. EPA

Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez grilled Heard when she took the stand, often interrupting her. AFP

Fans cheer as Depp arrives at the courthouse. Hundreds of people queued overnight just to nab a seat in the courtroom. AFP

Amber Heard is at the centre of controversy again after doubt has been cast over her role in Aquaman 2.

Gossip website Just Jared reported on Tuesday that an anonymous "insider" confirmed the actress, who has recently been embroiled in a high-profile court case with ex-husband Johnny Depp, was being recast in the sequel, in which she is set to reprise her role as Mera, Aquaman's beau.

“Warner Bros decided to recast Amber Heard’s role after screen-testing the movie. They are going to be doing reshoots with Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman,” they reportedly said.

A representative for Heard, however, has denied the reports.

“The rumour mill continues as it has from day one — inaccurate, insensitive and slightly insane," a representative told the industry publication Variety on Tuesday.

The story on Just Jared was later updated to say sources said Heard had "not been completely cut from the film. She still has a small role."

During the defamation trial with Depp, Heard claimed she had to "fight really hard" to keep the role and that the new script featured a "very pared-down version" of her role.

A petition to remove Heard from the Aquaman sequel has been doing the rounds for weeks and has been signed by millions of people, with the new goal being upped to six million. It is one of the most signed petitions ever on Change.org.

The online petition calls on Warner Bros and DC Entertainment to eliminate Heard from Aquaman and the the Lost Kingdom, which is due for release on Friday, March 17, 2023.

“Amber Heard has been exposed as a domestic abuser by Johnny Depp. Men are victims of domestic abuse, just like women,” says the petition. “This must be recognised, and action must be taken to prevent a known abuser from being celebrated within the entertainment industry.”

Director James Wan took to Instagram in January to announce that filming of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had come to an end. “And finally, finally, finally picture wrap on the actual last day of #Aquaman2."

The Aquaman sequel has Momoa returning in the titular role, alongside Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren and Kidman.

A US jury awarded Jonny Depp $10.4 million in damages from a defamation case surrounding a 2018 Washington Post article in which Heard called herself a “public figure representing domestic abuse".

Heard was awarded $2m in damages after winning one count of her countersuit after successfully arguing Depp's lawyer defamed her by claiming her allegations were a "hoax".

Depp lost a libel trial in a UK court two years ago against a British tabloid that labelled him a "wife beater".

A lawyer for Heard earlier this month said the actress was unable to pay Depp the millions he was awarded in damages.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's old LA home goes on sale for $1.76 million — in pictures