Amber Heard’s role as Mera, the princess of Xebel, is significantly reduced in the 2023 sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” compared to her prominent appearance in 2018’s “Aquaman.” She is featured in the film for a brief 10 minutes. Although not ideal for Heard, this was a better outcome than what Warner Bros. executives had allegedly wanted, as there were talks about possibly removing her from the movie. The precise reasons for this remain unclear, but some insiders from DC indicated a lack of chemistry between her and lead actor Jason Momoa. Another likely factor was the negative publicity surrounding Heard due to her contentious legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

Notes from Heard’s therapy session, which surfaced during the trial, suggested that director James Wan was less than welcoming on set, seemingly upset that his project was being overshadowed by her legal issues. However, a DC representative refuted this, claiming Wan is reputable for his respectful treatment of cast and crew, as well as creating a positive and cooperative atmosphere on set. Despite some fans clamoring for Blake Lively to replace Heard, she reportedly kept her role only after her ex-boyfriend Elon Musk intervened, allegedly sending a legal warning to Warner Bros. executives.

Though Heard remained in the film, many of her scenes were reportedly cut. She stated during the 2022 defamation trial that she was handed a script that was later altered, significantly reducing her character’s involvement, particularly action scenes involving her and another character. “They just removed a lot,” Heard remarked during her testimony (as reported by Entertainment Weekly).

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” ultimately flopped at the box office, garnering a little over $440 million compared to its predecessor’s impressive $1.1 billion haul. These numbers aren’t exactly surprising — test screenings had viewers walking out, with some fans blaming Amber Heard. For the actress, this marked the beginning of a lengthy hiatus from the screen. Following the defamation trial and drama surrounding her shortened stint in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” she relocated with her young daughter, Oonagh Paige, to Madrid for a much-needed break from Hollywood.

Still, Heard isn’t through with acting just yet, though her first project post-“Aquaman” looks a little different from her past roles. In June 2025, Heard shared a selfie on Instagram with the caption, “In my theatre era.” This was to promote her participation in “Spirit of the People,” a new play by Jeremy O. Harris, which was scheduled to make its world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival the following month. This was a good route back into the spotlight without the massive time commitment of a film, as Heard was very busy with her home life: She announced in May 2025 that she had welcomed twins, Agnes and Ocean. She said in an Instagram post, “This year I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I’ve strived to build for years.”