On Tuesday, Walter Hamada, head of DC Films, a division of Warner Bros., played for arbitration in a defamation trial between Heard and her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, in March. Hamada testified that “Aquaman” was the highest grossing film of all time. He added that the studio had never planned to co-lead Heard in “Aquaman 2” and that Heard’s role in the upcoming film titled “Aquaman The Last Kingdom” had not been reduced.
“The size of the role he played in the early development of the film was determined and I would say it would have happened in 2018. The involvement of the character in the story was from the beginning,” Hamada testified in the affidavit. “From the early stages of the script’s development, the film was built around the character of Arthur and Arm. Arthur Jason Momova and Orm Patrick Wilson. They have always been co – leaders of the film.”
Depp has sued Heard for $ 50 million in a 2018 Washington Post poll claiming that the actor slandered himself and thus lost his job. Hert has filed a $ 100 million lawsuit against Depp, alleging that allegations that he was abused by Depp were “hoaxes” and that his lawyer’s statements defamed him and caused him to lose his job.
Heard testified that his role in “Aquaman 2” had been reduced and that he had to fight to star in the film, which is in post-production and he believes it will make its debut in 2023. (CNN and Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Discovery.)
But Hamada testified in his affidavit that after the filming of “Aquaman”, there was a debate about Heard’s role in its sequel.
“Editorially I think they were able to implement that relationship in the first film, but it took a lot of effort to get there, and there was a concern that it would be better to find someone with better, natural chemistry with Jason and reprint. Momova and go that route,” Hamada testified.
Hamada testified that the pair appeared to have good chemistry in “Aquaman”, but the film relied on “magic of post-production” including editing, sound design and music to “fictionalize” their chemistry.
“It’s like making a movie star into a movie star. You can tell by looking at it. There’s no chemistry,” Hamada said in the deposit. “A good editor and a good filmmaker can pick the right moments, pick the right moments and put the scenes together. The music in the scene makes a big difference.”
Hamada testified that Heard’s role in the film and his ability to negotiate his compensation again were not affected by his involvement in the dispute or by statements made by Depp’s representatives.
The lawyers who heard the retiring case
Earlier on Tuesday, Hart’s lawyers adjourned their case.
Testified in five days this month. Actress Ellen Parkin, who was a witness on her behalf, testified recorded for the jury last week. Parkin said that while having sex with Depp in the 1990s, he once saw an actor throw a bottle of wine at a wall during an argument.
A movement to attack Heard’s counter-claims against Depp was rejected on Tuesday.
Final arguments are expected on Friday.
