Did Writers Strike and Actors Strike Just Delay Amber Heard Starrer Aquaman 2 Release Date Even Further?
Hollywood industry is at a standstill with two significant strikes. Since July 14, 2023, SAG-AFTRA, the organization representing actors in the American entertainment business, has been on strike, merging with The Writers Guild of America (WGA), which went on strike on May 2, 2023. For the first time in 63 years, two Hollywood labor unions are on strike simultaneously. These double strikes affected the entertainment industry severely. The production of various shows and movies is halted due to this.
Recent news states that Warner Bros. is considering changing the release dates of many movies. These include Amber Heard starring Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom. The highly anticipated DC Studios sequel has already been under the radar due to Heard. The actress’s famous defamation trial with Johnny Depp has affected her role in the sequel.
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Amber Heard’s Aquaman 2 may see a possible date shuffle
Since their start, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom starring Jason Momoa have been steeped in controversy. The fact that Amber Heard was associated with the project led to negative press. Heard’s famous defamation trial with Johnny Depp jeopardized her role in the film. Depp’s supporters even demanded that she be dropped from it. However, DC went ahead with the actress but reduced her screen time.
After all the controversy, the movie finally got a release date. It was slated to release on December 20, 2023. However, the ongoing double strike in the industry has led Warner Bros. Film Group to consider shuffling the release dates of some films strongly
According to Variety, Warner Bros. is considering potential new dates for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, a sequel from DC Studios, and The Colour Purple. The potential date rearranging is the result of a dispute over new contracts between producers in the entertainment industry and the striking unions SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America.
There are no official statements from WB and their spokespersons about the date change of Amber Heard’s Aquaman 2. But there are chances that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA may affect its release date.
Aquaman 2 reduced Amber Heard’s on-screen time
Amber Heard has been in the headlines due to her defamation trial with Johnny Depp. Due to the trial, Aquaman 2 is in water. The results of the battle have had a major effect on the London Fields actress’s career. DC decided to keep the 37-year-old in the franchise even after backlash from Depp’s fans.
However, The franchise decided to cut her on-screen time in the movie in the hope of its success. James Wan’s Aquaman made a whopping $1.148 billion at the box office, so a DCU sequel was pretty much guaranteed.
In the first Aquaman film, Jason Momoa played the underwater vigilante who overcame his villainous stepbrother King Orm to reclaim his rightful throne. The plot of Aquaman 2 is expected to change as Aquaman must put his trust in an adversary to save Atlantis and the rest of the Earth. Amber Heard will reprise her role as Princess Mera in the upcoming film.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is slated to release on December 20, 2023.
Source: Variety
