Depp fans paid the court fees for the release of documents from Heards therapist, Dr. Dawn Hughes. The raw notes, scribbled on a legal pad, were part of last years high-profile trial in which Depp largely prevailed. They describe a hostile Aquaman set where an allegedly intoxicated Jason Momoa dressed like Depp and pushed to have Heard booted from the role of aquatic superhero Mera.
Jason said he wanted me fired, the notes say. Jason drunk late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too.
A rep for Momoa declined comment, but a DC spokesperson pushed back on Heards characterization, saying, Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Others echoed that sentiment. Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesnt show up drunk to set, says an insider who was on the London set in 2021, adding that the two stars got along and were seen joking together.
Momoa wasnt the only Aquaman principal to land in the crosshairs. The therapy session also painted a picture of Heard feeling unsupported by the films director, James Wan, and treated like a pariah because of her high-profile legal battle with her ex-husband.
He raised his voice @ me I cant even post about Aquaman made it like it was my fault I said Im sorry, say Hughes notes in reference to Wan. Nobody could take selfies with me on set given blackout.
Wan declined comment. The DC spokesperson says, James is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set the Aquaman films were no exception.
And yet Heard was nearly fired, sources on both sides tell Variety. Following Aquamans release in 2018, the studio and Wan decided to drop the actress from the sequel due to her lack of chemistry with Momoa and sent a letter to her attorney, Karl Austen, informing him of its decision. (Former DC Films boss Walter Hamada testified in the defamation trial about the issue of chemistry.) Those sources underscore that the move to bounce Heard was unrelated to Depp and took place before he filed suit against the actress in 2019.
Ultimately, the studio never pulled the trigger on firing Heard because her former boyfriend, Elon Musk, had one of his litigators send a scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down if the actress wasnt brought back for a sequel, says a source familiar with the behind-the-scenes battle. Warner Bros. caved and moved forward with Heard. (Musk did not respond to a request for comment.)