How Jason Momoa saved Amber Heard’s ‘Aquaman’ job in the Depp trial

“Aquaman” himself, Jason Momoa, has reportedly lobbied for the embattled Amber Heard to retain her role in the upcoming sequel to the film.

Former producer and current entertainment industry consultant and expert Kathryn Arnold appeared Monday as Heard’s witness during her ongoing trial of ex-husband Johnny Depp. She said Heard’s role as a redhead was meant to be her “star is born” moment, but claimed the actress was nearly cut from Aquaman 2 due to issues with Johnny Depp, 58.

Arnold went on to say the only reason Heard kept her job is because Momoa, 42, and director James Wan, 45, are “committed to her” and “adamant” that she be in the film, according to the Daily Mail .

Heard, 36, reportedly trained five hours a day for several months before learning from a costume designer that her role had been “fired.”

Arnold, who met with Heard prior to the testimony, said that Heard’s character Mera will have “a strong romantic arc throughout the film and some great action sequences” before her action scenes are “edited out” and her role is “radically” reduced. “

On Thursday, Heard’s agent Jessica Kovacevic said she was told the role was almost recast due to Heard’s “lack of chemistry” with Momoa, but personally believes it has to do with her bad reputation.

Arnold also said Game of Thrones actor Momoa was able to renegotiate his salary for the second film from around $3 million to $15 million.

Heard was paid the same $2 million quoted when they were first contacted, Arnold said, adding that the troubled actress should be able to renegotiate for up to $6 million.

“She [Hollywood] like her work, but they can’t work with her because every time her name is mentioned, the negativity flares up again,” Arnold said of Heard’s “very negative” reputation.

Arnold testified that Heard could have made $4 million per film over five years, although it could have been even more, reaching as high as $20 million.

Heard’s estimated total loss, Arnold claimed, was between $45 million and $50 million.

Heard would also have landed other million-dollar deals similar to her $1.5 million deal with L’Oreal, Arnold added.

Since the trial began, more than 4 million Depp fans have rallied to sign a petition asking them to remove the actress from the film entirely.