‘Like Amber Heard, my role was reduced’: Aquaman 2 star disappointed with Jason Momoa’s film

Aquaman 2, which hits theaters on December 20th, won’t bring in the billion dollars that the first installment did. However, it limits the damage to nearly $400 million collected internationally. In France, the film brought in 1.8 million curious people, a fair number if we compare it to recent DC feature films.

The Flash barely reached 800,000 admissions, Blue Beetle claims 580,000 viewers and Shazam 2 reached 498,000 scratched tickets. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman 2 closes the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) adventure that began 10 years ago with Man of Steel before rebooting the franchise with James Gunn’s Superman Legacy.

Dolph Lundgren is unhappy

he asked ComicBookDolph Lundgren reflected on his experience and explained that the film’s script underwent many changes that reduced the involvement of his character, King Nereus. “I just realized that it was kind of an absolute decision: they wanted to limit Amber Heard’s role, but I was playing her father, so my role was also reduced.”– explained the actor.

They wanted to limit Amber Heard’s role, but I played her father, so my role was also reduced.

In addition, Aquaman 2 had a chaotic production with several shoots that were also affected by the controversy surrounding Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s trial. Delayed several times, the film was released after James Gunn’s announcements about a DCEU reboot came out and pulled the rug out from under him.

“I was disappointed with the movie fans” Dolph Lundgren continues. “I thought the basic script was great; the original cut, which I saw a part of, was really good! So I didn’t see any reason to shoot scenes and cut the story. That’s what obviously disappointed me. The fans, not just me.”The 66-year-old actor was worried.

The director gives his version

If Dolph Lundgren confirms that the role of Mera (Amber Heard) has indeed been reduced, director James Wan confirmed the opposite on the microphone last September.Entertainment Weekly. “I’ve always said that the first Aquaman was about Arthur and Mera’s journey and that the second was about Arthur and Orm. The first was a mix of romance, action and adventure. The second was a mix of bromance, action and adventure.”

The director also returned to controversy in the columns of Empire magazine. “It’s normal that Amber Heard could say that, because I didn’t think about the character at all when I was working on the film. The actors don’t necessarily know what the directors are planning behind the scenes.”

My plan was clear from the beginning.

“But my plan was clear from the beginning, it always was in my head. I suggested from the beginning that Aquaman 1 would be inspired.Chasing the Green Diamond, an adventure romantic comedy; As for the second one, I saw it as a friendly film style Tango and cash“he explained.

For her part, Amber Heard wanted to thank fans after the release of Aquaman 2: “After all this time, Aquaman 2 blew up (sorry, that’s too easy). Thank you to my fans for their continued support and for bringing Meera back to Aquaman. Thank you so much”– he said on Instagram.

With Superman Legacy in theaters on July 9, 2025, DC returns to theaters with Joker: Folie à Deux on October 2.