5 Shocking Claims About Jason Momoa And Amber Heard’s Relationship Revealed In The Depp Trial
The highly-publicized Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial, which concluded in 2022, continues to generate buzz, not just for the former couple’s testimony, but for the shocking behind-the-scenes drama it revealed about Hollywood’s inner workings and the making of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. As of December 11, 2025, the latest updates and post-trial analysis focus heavily on the unexpected role of Jason Momoa, Heard's co-star, whose actions and alleged on-set behavior became a central point of contention regarding Amber Heard’s future as Mera.
The trial—which centered on allegations of abuse and defamation—unintentionally pulled the *Aquaman* franchise into the spotlight, exposing deep rifts and conflicting narratives about the relationship between Momoa and Heard, and the studio’s desire to recast the role of Mera. From claims of Momoa fighting for Heard's job to allegations of unprofessional conduct, the revelations painted a complex picture of the DC film set.
Jason Momoa: Biography and Profile
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa is an American actor and film producer who rose to international fame for his roles in major fantasy and action franchises. His connection to the "Amber Heard trial" stems from their co-starring roles as Aquaman (Arthur Curry) and Mera in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films.
- Full Name: Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa
- Born: August 1, 1979 (Age 46 as of late 2025)
- Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
- Notable Roles: Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis, Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, and Arthur Curry / Aquaman in the DCEU.
- Career Start: Began his career as a model, named Hawaii's Model of the Year in 1999.
- Family: Married to actress Lisa Bonet from 2017 to 2024 (separated).
The Conflicting Narratives: Was Momoa Heard’s Hero or Her Antagonist?
The core controversy surrounding Jason Momoa and Amber Heard during the trial revolved around two completely contradictory claims: one suggesting Momoa was her strongest advocate, and the other alleging he was a source of friction.
1. Explosive Claim: Jason Momoa ‘Fought’ to Keep Amber Heard in *Aquaman 2*
One of the most surprising pieces of testimony came from entertainment industry consultant Kathryn Arnold, a witness for Amber Heard. Arnold testified that despite the massive public pressure and studio concerns following the initial legal battles, Jason Momoa was a major force in ensuring Heard retained her role as Mera in the sequel, *Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom*.
Arnold claimed that Momoa and director James Wan were both "adamant" that Heard should return to the role, effectively overriding Warner Bros. executives who were considering recasting her. This testimony painted Momoa as a loyal co-star who valued the creative integrity of the sequel over the public relations storm surrounding the actress.
This revelation was key to Heard's legal team, as it suggested that any subsequent reduction in her role was a direct result of the alleged defamation campaigns by Johnny Depp’s team, rather than a lack of support from her primary co-star or director.
2. The Studio’s Counter-Claim: The ‘Lack of Chemistry’ Rationale
In direct contrast to the claim of Momoa’s support, a Warner Bros. executive was reported to have testified that the studio had considered recasting Mera due to a perceived "lack of chemistry" between Amber Heard and Jason Momoa in the first *Aquaman* film.
This testimony introduced a different professional justification for potentially removing Heard, shifting the focus away from the defamation trial. The studio’s concern over on-screen chemistry—a common reason for recasting in Hollywood—created a narrative that the decision was business-driven, not politically motivated. However, the fact that Momoa reportedly fought for her role complicates this "lack of chemistry" argument, suggesting the studio's rationale may have been influenced by the negative publicity regardless.
The Most Sensational Claims Revealed in Court Documents
The trial produced a trove of unsealed court documents, which, while not all presented to the jury, contained some of the most sensational and damaging claims regarding the *Aquaman 2* set environment.
3. Amber Heard’s Therapist Claims: Momoa Was ‘Drunk and Cosplaying’
Among the unsealed court documents were notes from Amber Heard's therapist. These notes included Heard’s claims that Jason Momoa would allegedly show up to the set of *Aquaman* "drunk" and "cosplaying" as Johnny Depp.
Heard claimed that Momoa was intentionally dressing like Depp, including wearing rings and dressing similarly to the actor. This claim, which has been widely circulated in post-trial analysis, suggested a hostile environment on set orchestrated by her co-star. It is crucial to note that these were only claims made by Heard to her therapist and were not substantiated or confirmed by Momoa or any other witnesses in court.
4. The Unofficial Reaction: Momoa’s Diplomatic Instagram Likes
While Jason Momoa did not testify in the trial and maintained a public silence throughout, his subtle actions following the verdict spoke volumes about his diplomatic approach to the deeply divisive issue. After the jury delivered its verdict—largely in favor of Johnny Depp—Momoa was observed to have "liked" both Johnny Depp's and Amber Heard's official Instagram statements reacting to the outcome.
This move was interpreted by many as an attempt to remain neutral and professional, avoiding taking a public side in a conflict that had already severely damaged his co-star's career and threatened the success of *Aquaman 2*.
The Final Impact on Mera’s Role in *Aquaman 2*
5. The Final Cut: Mera’s Screen Time Was Drastically Reduced
Despite the conflicting claims of Jason Momoa fighting for her role, the ultimate fate of Amber Heard’s character, Mera, in *Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom* became clear upon the film's release. Recent reports and post-release analysis from early 2024 confirmed that Mera’s presence was severely minimized.
According to reports, Amber Heard only had approximately 11 lines of dialogue and about 20 minutes of screen time in the final cut of the movie. This drastic reduction, regardless of the reasons—be it lack of chemistry, studio pressure, or the ongoing legal controversy—appeared to validate Heard’s earlier claims that her career had suffered significantly due to the trial and the ensuing negative publicity.
The entire saga involving the "Jason Momoa Amber Heard trial" testimony serves as a stark reminder of how high-profile legal battles can intersect with major studio productions, creating a complex web of professional and personal drama. While Momoa's public silence remained consistent, the claims made about his advocacy and alleged unprofessional conduct on set will forever be tied to the legacy of the Johnny Depp defamation trial and the troubled production history of *Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom*.
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