It was first reported in January that Amber Heard had been cast as Mera in Justice League and in Aquaman for Warner Bros., but little else has been heard since those rumors fueled fan speculation. Now, Ms. Heard has confirmed that she has indeed been cast in the role and that she has been working with the Warner Bros. wardrobe department on creating the costume for her Mera alter ego.
Amber Heard confirms role as Mera in the DC Comics Justice League and Aquaman franchises
Amber has confirmed that she will be playing Mera in both Warner Bros. films. Mera is wife to Aquaman and is the Queen of Atlantis, according to DC comic book lore, which is the source material for both the Justice League and Aquaman films. In the comic books, Mera’s first appearance was as the queen of Dimension Aqua. Mera happens upon Aquaman as she is seen fleeing Leron, a criminal who has seized control of Mera’s kingdom and now hunts the former queen. Aquaman, who will be played by Jason Momoa, comes to Mera’s aid, defeating Leron and restoring Dimension Aqua to its rightful ruler. Mera is so overcome with love and gratitude for Aquaman that she travels to Atlantis with him, where the couple are wed and rule over that kingdom together.
Whether this origin story will be a part of Justice League or the stand-alone Aquaman film is unknown at this early stage, but it seems like a strong possibility. The presence of Mera in the films would seem to indicate that the meeting between Heard’s character and Aquaman will be a necessary story arc.
In any case, Amber is definitely on board and Ms. Heard seems genuinely pleased with the unique turn her character’s costume has taken.
“It’s interesting. It’s like, half suit of armor, half scales,” Heard revealed. “It’s strange… We’re in the process of building it now, so it’s coming along.”
Amber Heard finds unexpected rewards in becoming a step-mother to Johnny Depp’s children
Speaking of roles, the future Aquaman actress has taken on another role, this time in her personal life. Marrying someone as well known as Johnny Depp has come with certain lifestyle changes. Among them, Ms. Heard reveals, is dealing with the rumors that their marriage is in trouble.
Some rumors persist that Ms. Heard is in it for what Depp’s name could bring to her, but Amber says Johnny’s money and fame aren’t at all important to her. She says she was raised to value a strong work ethic in herself, as well as in others, and that along with that philosophy comes an understanding that money isn’t as important as people think. Heard says she can get along fine without it, as she has in the past, and that she never expects anyone to hand her anything. Amber believes this way of thinking has made her a more independent person.
“I try not to react to the horrible misrepresentation of our lives, but it is strange, and hard,” Amber says.
Instead, the model-turned-actress tries to focus on the positive aspects of her new family, like her relationship with Depp’s kids, Lily-Rose, 16, and Jack, 13.
“[It’s] an honor and the greatest, most surprising gift I have ever received in my life,” Heard says in describing what it has been like to adjust to instant parenthood.
Amber describes the experience as adding new “flavors” and new “colors” to her life, adding that her new step-children bring a level of happiness to her life that she could never have anticipated.
The Justice League Part 1 is expected to hit theaters on November 16, 2017.
Aquaman is scheduled for a July 26, 2018, theatrical release.
[Image by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]