Dolph Lundgren, who plays Nereus in the “Aquaman” movies, revealed that the original cut of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” already exists and is significantly different from the version released in theaters. Lundgren expressed disappointment, saying certain elements were removed, including a “very good” original script.
Despite earning $109 million domestically and $375 million worldwide, the sequel’s box office performance falls short of its predecessor, “Aquaman,” which crossed the $1 billion mark, becoming the highest-grossing film in the DC Universe.
Lundgren disclosed that the decision to diminish Amber Heard’s role as Mera, the love interest of Aquaman, also impacted his character, Nereus, since the two characters are closely linked. He speculated that corporate decisions to limit Heard’s involvement led to reshoots and alterations that ultimately left both him and the moviegoers disappointed.
Heard previously asserted during her 2022 defamation trial involving Johnny Depp that Warner Bros. scaled back her role in the sequel due to the fallout from her divorce. She claimed the studio did not want to include her, resulting in a reduction of her character’s importance and the removal of action scenes.
Director James Wan countered this narrative, clarifying that “Aquaman 2” was never intended to center on the relationship between Aquaman and Mera, as the first movie did. He emphasized that the sequel prioritized Aquaman’s dynamic with his villainous half-brother, Orm, played by Patrick Wilson.
Wan’s explanation pointed towards a deliberate shift in focus from a romance action-adventure movie in the first installment to a bromance action-adventure in the sequel, emphasizing Aquaman’s relationship with Orm.
Despite reports of extensive reshoots, Wan dismissed the notion that they were abnormal, asserting that scheduling challenges with major actors necessitated breaking up the shooting schedule into sections. He clarified that the reshoots were no different from those common in major Hollywood productions.
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is currently playing in theaters nationwide, with Warner Bros. standing by the film amid discussions surrounding changes in its narrative and production process.
