Although nowadays more synonymous with her legal affairs involving Johnny Depp rather than the DCEU, Amber Heard is returning as Mera for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom probably in another one of those dashing looks that is simply a cosplayer’s dream.
Due to The Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman’s rushed introduction in 2017’s Justice League film, fans first got to see Heard’s Mera donning a battle armor that looks fit for Atlantean royalty, despite how uncomfortable it was to wear according to the actor herself. Regardless of Heard being up to the task of suiting up again for some reshoots on Zack Snyder’s Justice League, she might be hoping that next time around she gets to move around in the green Aquaman getup that’s often favored for cosplay due to its simpler and yet colorful design.
Such is the case for New Jersey-based cosplayer Daniel Manzano (@simplyarabella), who just like James Wan prefers to go for Mera’s scaly skin-tight green outfit that mimics her appearances in most Aquaman comics. To match the shiny green unitard swimsuit, the model also sports Mera’s vibrant candy red hair instead of the more natural look chosen by Snyder to fit the darker and muted tones of his movie. The end result is simply perfect.
This beautiful Mera looks just as imposing as Heard does in Aquaman, a much livelier scenario than her final scene in Zack Snyder’s Justice League where she’s left to mourn Aquaman as one of the few remaining members of the Justice League in the Knightmare ending. At least Heard won't have to jump back in her armored suit since Warner Bros. will have long opted to do away with Snyder's storyline when Black Adam, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom all premiere next year, with the latter looking to match the success of the first Aquaman movie for DC.
Last year, Heard’s role as Mera became quite debated when Depp was replaced as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise by Mads Mikkelsen, prompting many to call for Heard’s firing as well due to the nature of the former couple’s domestic abuse cases. However, no matter how many fans would love to see someone like Emilia Clarke as Mera in Aquaman's sequel, it seems like Heard has truly made the role hers as the Warner Bros. marches on with its DCEU.
Contrary to what happened with Ben Affleck’s Batman, fellow co-stars like Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, and Heard never had their roles questioned. This is a trend that extends to Margot Robbie's ever-present Harley Quinn, who’s always shined no matter how bad reception was for the first Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 16, 2022.
Source: @simplyarabella | Instagram