A striking new image envisions Emilia Clarke stepping into the role of Mera in the Aquaman franchise, replacing Amber Heard as the underwater heroine.
Heard originally portrayed the red-haired Atlantean warrior in the DC Extended Universe, making her first appearance in 2017’s Justice League. She later reprised the role in 2018’s Aquaman, where she starred alongside Jason Momoa, and returned once more for its much-anticipated sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The Success of Aquaman and the Role of Mera
The first Aquaman film proved to be a massive financial success, raking in an impressive $1.1 billion at the global box office. The film received largely positive reviews, with audiences praising its visual effects, world-building, and Momoa’s charismatic performance.
For Heard, playing Mera was a chance to portray a strong and independent female character in a genre often criticized for its lack of depth in female roles. She once described Mera as “empowered” and “proactive”, highlighting the importance of representation in the industry.
However, despite her portrayal of the Atlantean princess, Heard’s continued involvement in the franchise has remained a polarizing topic among fans.
A New Direction for DC Under James Gunn and Peter Safran
The Aquaman sequel was released during a time of major transformation within DC Studios. With the arrival of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new creative heads, a complete overhaul of the DC Universe has been underway.
Gunn has acknowledged the challenges of meeting fan expectations, explaining on social media:
“We know we are not going to make every single person happy every step of the way, but we can promise everything we do is done in the service of the STORY and in the service of the DC CHARACTERS we know you cherish.”
One of the first major changes in this new vision was the departure of Henry Cavill as Superman, a decision that disappointed many fans. Cavill has since been replaced by David Corenswet, an actor known for his role in the horror film Pearl.
Gunn and Safran have also made it clear that they intend to shift the spotlight onto lesser-known DC characters, using Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman as the franchise’s foundational pillars while elevating underappreciated heroes and villains.
The Controversy Surrounding Amber Heard’s Return
Despite this shake-up, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released under the old leadership, meaning that Heard retained her role as Mera. However, her involvement sparked considerable backlash.
In 2022, Heard was at the center of a highly publicized defamation trial against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp. The case became a global media spectacle, with Heard facing relentless criticism and online trolling.
During the trial, she revealed that Warner Bros. had allegedly attempted to minimize her role in the Aquaman sequel due to the controversy surrounding her personal life.
“I was given a script and then given new versions of the script that had taken away scenes that had action in it… and they basically took a bunch out of my role,” she claimed.
However, former DC executive Walter Hamada disputed these claims, asserting that her reduced screen time was purely a creative decision. According to Hamada, there were concerns about her on-screen chemistry with Jason Momoa, which was reportedly a struggle to establish in the first film.
“I think editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie,” Hamada testified. “But there was concern that it took a lot of effort to get there and that maybe we would be better off finding someone with more natural chemistry with Jason Momoa.”
Reports of Tension on Set
The friction surrounding Heard’s involvement in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom didn’t end there.
In 2023, Variety reported that notes from Heard’s therapist had surfaced, alleging that Jason Momoa would show up on set intoxicated and “dressed like Johnny Depp” as a form of intimidation.
These claims, however, were strongly denied by DC, with a spokesperson stating:
“Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
Aquaman 2’s Box Office Struggles
Despite the anticipation surrounding the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom failed to replicate the success of its predecessor. The film grossed only $434 million worldwide—a sharp decline of over $500 million compared to the original film’s earnings.
While some fans still supported Heard’s involvement, others had been vocal in their desire for a recasting of Mera—with one name in particular standing out.
Fan Demand for Emilia Clarke to Take Over the Role
As controversy surrounded Heard’s portrayal of Mera, fans began campaigning for a new actress to step into the role—and one of the most popular choices was Emilia Clarke.
The actress, best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has previously worked alongside Momoa, who played Khal Drogo in the hit HBO series. Their strong on-screen chemistry in Game of Thrones made Clarke an appealing choice for many fans.
A petition to replace Heard with Blake Lively was launched and received over 17,000 signatures. However, Clarke remained the top fan-favorite choice, and a stunning new image by digital artist Diego de Sousa showcased what she might look like as Mera.
The image quickly gained traction online, with fans praising the concept.
“I’m here for it,” one person commented.
Another added, “She is a far better choice for Mera than Amber Heard ever was.”
What Does the Future Hold for Aquaman?
Following the disappointing box office performance of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the chances of a third Aquaman movie appear slim.
Although Jason Momoa hasn’t entirely ruled out reprising his role as the King of Atlantis, he acknowledges that the decision isn’t in his hands.
In a recent interview, Momoa admitted:
“I don’t necessarily want it to be the end, [but] I don’t think it’s really, like, a choice. The truth of it is, I mean, if the audience loves it, then there’s a possibility. But right now, I’m like, ‘It’s not looking too good.’”
With Gunn and Safran steering DC in a new direction, it remains to be seen whether Aquaman will have a future in the franchise. However, with fan demand for Clarke as Mera still strong, the idea of her replacing Heard remains an exciting possibility for many.