'Aquaman 2': Amber Heard out, Emilia Clarke in? Fans demand change amid fallout of Johnny Depp abuse scandal
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's feud counts among one of Hollywood's most scandalous cases. With time, the hatred for Heard has grown intrinsically, and recently, fans started a petition for her to be removed from the cast of 'Aquaman 2'.
A series of leaked audiotapes from 2016 revealed she admitted “hitting” her ex-husband and Depp gave evidence that she inflicted severe abuse on her, which even cost him the tip of one of his fingers and had to be surgically reattached. The botched up details of the case prove how both were equally responsible for their abusive and toxic relationship. The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star was named a “wife-beater” by Britain's The Sun newspaper and he slapped a $50 million defamation case against them. While the libel trial has been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Heard continues to lead her Hollywood career just like she did.
In an attempt to oust her from the cast of 'Aquaman 2', fans started a petition asking for 5,00,000 signatures and over 4,33,799 have already given a go-ahead. The petition on Change.org reads, "As Amber Heard is a known and proven domestic abuser, Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment should and must remove Heard from their Aquaman 2 film project. They must not ignore the suffering of Heard's victims, and must not glamorize a domestic abuser."
It continues, "Men are victims of domestic abuse, just like women. This must be recognized, and action must be taken to prevent a known abuser from being celebrated within the entertainment industry. Do the right thing. Remove Amber Heard from Aquaman 2."
Following the petition, there are several rumors circling around how she has been fired. According to Comic Book.com, Warner Bros has allegedly terminated the contract and the actress is "uninsurable, much like Robert Downey Jr. during his drug days and Linsday Lohan during her troubled times." However, there is no official confirmation from the production house. Several fans are distraught over the injustice. "Johnny lost his role as Captain Jack Sparrow because of the lies and smear campaign launched by his ex-wife Amber Heard and almost lost the role of Grindewald in Fantastic Beast 2," one said.
He continued, "Amber Heard has gone on to star in Aquaman which grossed over billion dollars, an endorsement deal with L’Oreal and has become an ambassador for the UN and has not suffered any of the backlashes that Johnny has despite the truth coming out that she was the abuser in that 15-month marriage and she was the one using the #MeToo movement for her own gain and was making a mockery out of actual survivors of domestic violence," and added, "Drop Amber Heard as Mera, cast someone else in this role who actually has the acting talent and let Amber Heard suffer the consequences that she has long gotten away with."
Previously, there was another petition that wanted Emilia Clarke to replace her. Amid the hearsay, Instagram fans even created a collage of Clarke in 'Aquaman 2' alongside Heard. "Emilia absolutely must play Mara, she’s perfect!" one said and another posted, "A case of “Who wore it Better”...I’m 100% with Emilia!" Another fan posted, "You can't support Amber Heard after hearing what she has done. Besides, Emilia Clarke is a better actor." It seems like the petition will soon complete its target of 5,00,000 signatures. But the biggest question is: Will the producers give an official statement before that?