Petition to axe Amber Heard from Aquaman 2 nears 4.5m signature target ahead of verdict

More than 4.4m have signed the Aquaman 2 petition

The Aquaman 2 petition calling for Amber Heard to be removed from the franchise is close to reaching its target of 4.5m signatures. It comes as the jury in Virginia continue to deliberate on the verdict of Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit against the actress. Heard features in the Aquaman franchise as the superhero's love interest Mera. Filming on the sequel wrapped up earlier this year, with the film set to be released in March 2023. But amid the bitter and protracted legal battle between Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp, a petition gained traction in November 2020 to have Heard removed from the sequel. It has surged in popularity in recent months as the much-publicised trial between the pair has taken place at Fairfax County Court in Virginia. At the time of writing, more than 4.43m people have signed the petition, which claims Heard has "systematically crusaded to ruin Depp in Hollywood." Heard has previously claimed her role in the sequel was significantly pared down after Depp's legal team labelled her initial abuse claims a "hoax." The trial heard from another witness on the stand that Heard was close to being removed from the film due to a lack of chemistry with co-star Jason Momoa. But another witness claimed Momoa and director James Wan were "committed" to Heard and that Momoa was "adamant" she remain in the franchise. The multi-million dollar defamation trial came to a close on Friday, and Heard is reportedly still in Virginia awaiting the verdict. After more than nine hours of deliberation so far, the jury has not come to a verdict and will reconvene on Wednesday. https://twitter.com/cathyrusson/status/1531740706871488512 Related links:

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