After years of speculation and viral gossip, the producer of “Aquaman” has officially confirmed what many fans long suspected — that there was significant tension between co-stars Amber Heard and Jason Momoa on set. The revelation, which came during a candid interview following the film’s sequel release, sheds new light on the chaotic behind-the-scenes dynamic that nearly derailed one of DC’s most lucrative franchises.
In a new exposé published by The Hollywood Reporter, longtime DC producer Peter Safran admitted that rumors of friction between Heard and Momoa were “not exaggerated.” While he stopped short of calling it outright hostility, Safran revealed there were “days when communication was difficult” and that production required “extra management to keep focus on the film, not the feud.”
“They were professionals,” Safran explained. “But yes — there were moments when you could feel the tension in the room. Everyone knew about it, and we worked around it. It’s not unusual in Hollywood, but it was definitely noticeable.”
That simple confirmation has reignited a wave of online debate, with fans revisiting old interviews, leaked documents, and viral clips for clues about the strained relationship. The rumor first gained traction in 2021, when Heard testified during her defamation trial against Johnny Depp that Momoa had allegedly “mocked” her on set by showing up “dressed like Depp” — an accusation Momoa’s representatives later denied.
“Producer confirms what many suspected — tension between Amber Heard and Jason Momoa was very real.” @Variety
Now, according to Safran’s remarks, those reports weren’t baseless after all. “Jason is passionate, Amber is strong-willed — sometimes that combination led to friction,” he said. “But I can say this much: when the cameras rolled, they delivered.”
Behind the scenes, multiple insiders described the atmosphere as “icy,” with one crew member telling IndieWire that the two “barely spoke unless the scene demanded it.” Others recalled hearing shouting matches during late-night shoots and watching the actors avoid eye contact during press events. “It wasn’t hatred,” one staffer said. “It was exhaustion — emotional, professional, and personal.”
During production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, tensions allegedly deepened after executives at Warner Bros. considered recasting Heard amid public backlash over her legal battle with Depp. Momoa reportedly advocated for keeping her in the role to “preserve continuity,” a move that sparked contradictory interpretations — some saw it as loyalty, others as damage control.
When the first box office numbers dropped, the controversy only grew. Fans noticed that Heard’s screen time had been drastically reduced, fueling rumors that her feud with Momoa — combined with the Depp trial’s fallout — had cost her a major portion of her role. “Mera was central to the original script,” one insider told Daily Mail. “By the final cut, she was practically a side character.”
“Amber Heard’s reduced role wasn’t random — producer admits off-screen drama took a toll.” @THR
Safran’s latest comments mark the first time anyone directly involved in the film’s leadership has confirmed the long-circulating rumors. However, he also stressed that both actors “remained dedicated” and that the studio “appreciated their professionalism” despite the strain. “Movies are human environments,” he said. “People clash. The important thing is that the final product worked.”
Online, reactions to the confirmation have been explosive. Some fans have sided with Momoa, defending him as “a leader who held the set together,” while others have criticized his alleged behavior, pointing to viral TikTok compilations that show him teasing Heard during interviews. “She endured global scrutiny and still showed up to work,” one user posted. “That deserves respect.”
Meanwhile, supporters of Momoa have called the narrative overblown. “Jason has never been anything but professional and kind,” one of his friends told ET Online. “He and Amber had creative differences, not personal hatred. It happens all the time in film.”
The confirmation has also reignited interest in the upcoming DC Studios rebrand under James Gunn, with speculation about whether either actor will reprise their roles in future projects. Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran (the same producer who made the remarks) are reportedly considering a “clean slate” for the franchise. “We’re reimagining everything,” Safran said. “That includes characters, tone, and relationships — on and off screen.”
“Peter Safran confirms tension between Aquaman stars — but says both stayed professional.” @Collider
As the story rippled across social media, Heard’s representatives declined to comment, while Momoa’s team issued a brief statement insisting he “has always maintained a positive working relationship with his colleagues.” Yet privately, one Warner Bros. source told BuzzFeed News that the studio was “relieved” to have the truth out in the open after years of denial. “Everyone knew,” the source said. “Now at least people can stop pretending.”
For fans, the revelation cements what had long been whispered: that the on-screen chemistry of Aquaman and Mera masked a fractured reality behind the scenes. As one fan joked on Reddit, “They saved Atlantis, but couldn’t save their working relationship.”
And while Peter Safran’s remarks may finally close one chapter of speculation, they’ve opened another — about how Hollywood handles personality clashes when billion-dollar franchises are at stake. As one industry insider summed it up: “There are a lot of oceans in that story — and more than a few waves still crashing beneath the surface.”