Walter Hamada
Walter Hamada served as president of DC-based film productions at Warner Brothers during the development of Aquaman and its sequel, overseeing casting decisions and option agreements for the DC film slate. In that capacity he was directly responsible for the decisions surrounding Amber Heard's contract to play Mera. He was called by Depp's legal team as a corporate representative to address Heard's claim that the Depp dispute and Waldman's public statements harmed her Aquaman 2 career.
Testimony Impact
Hamada testified that Heard was never released from or separately rehired for Aquaman 2—her option agreement was continuous—and that her compensation was not renegotiated upward because WB's policy was to hold all actors to existing options. He attributed the delay in exercising her option entirely to creative chemistry concerns between Heard and Jason Momoa that had emerged during production of the first film, explicitly denying that statements by Depp, Waldman, or anyone on Depp's team played any role. On cross, Bredehoft established that no written documentation of these chemistry concerns existed and introduced a 2018 text from director James Wan stating Heard had tested well with audiences, directly undercutting the creative rationale. Hamada ultimately confirmed that Aquaman 2 production went smoothly, further narrowing the factual basis for any professional concerns about Heard.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“As a rule, as a company, we make these - we go through a lot of trouble when we make our deals with our actors. When we get options, we get options on them for subsequent movies, and I think traditionally, prior to me joining the company, every option was renegotiated.”
Explains the structural reason Heard received no pay increase — a deliberate WB policy shift, not a punitive response to the Depp dispute.
“No. The movie was always pitched as a buddy comedy between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson.”
Directly rebuts any claim that Heard's role was designed to be larger and was later cut due to the Depp controversy.
“It was the concerns that were brought up at the wrap of the first movie, production of the first movie, which is the issue of chemistry.”
Establishes that chemistry concerns predated and were independent of the Depp-Heard litigation, undercutting the damages causation argument.
“No. Because we just picked up her option.”
Clarifies the factual inaccuracy in any claim WB 'rehired' Heard — the option was simply exercised, consistent with the original contract.
“Just the fact that they didn't really have a lot of chemistry together.”
Hamada's characterization of the chemistry problem—the central justification WB cited for hesitating on Heard's option—delivered with no documentary support.
“the chemistry wasn't there”
Hamada cannot articulate anything more specific about the chemistry deficit, weakening the evidentiary weight of the claim.
“Yes, she did. She tested well.”
Hamada concedes Heard performed strongly in 2018 audience test screenings, undercutting the narrative that creative concerns about her drove the option hesitation.
“My understanding is actually the production went very smoothly.”
Hamada's closing answer characterizes Aquaman 2 production as problem-free, further narrowing the factual basis for any professional concerns about Heard.
Key Moments
Hamada flatly denies that Heard was ever released from or separately rehired for Aquaman 2, establishing that the option agreement was continuous from the first film — no termination, no new deal.
Day 21 · Direct of Walter Hamada
Hamada testifies the sole reason for any delay in exercising Heard's option was chemistry concerns with Jason Momoa that surfaced during production of the first film, explicitly severing any link to the Depp-Heard dispute.
Day 21 · Direct of Walter Hamada
Hamada states Aquaman 2 was always conceived as a buddy comedy between Momoa and Patrick Wilson — Mera was never planned as a co-lead — undercutting any claim the dispute cost Heard a larger role.
Day 21 · Direct of Walter Hamada
Hamada explains WB's blanket policy of not renegotiating actor option agreements upward, framing Heard's unchanged compensation as standard practice rather than a consequence of the dispute.
Day 21 · Direct of Walter Hamada
Bredehoft introduces Exhibit 5 — a 2018 text from director James Wan stating Heard 'rated really high with the audience' — directly contradicting the narrative that on-screen chemistry was a creative concern from the outset.
Day 21 · Cross of Walter Hamada
Hamada concedes that no written documentation of the chemistry concerns between Heard and Momoa exists; all such concerns were communicated exclusively through verbal conversations, leaving the central justification for the option delay unsupported by records.
Day 21 · Cross of Walter Hamada
Hamada confirms Aquaman 2 production went 'very smoothly,' closing off any suggestion that professional difficulties with Heard persisted into the sequel.
Day 21 · Cross of Walter Hamada
Evidence From Their Proceedings (2)
Heard's Aquaman Option Contract with Warner Bros.
Amber Heard's test option agreement with Warner Brothers for the role of Mera in the Aquaman franchise, establishing a tiered salary structure across multiple pictures, identified…
Catalog entry →James Wan to Heard Text, Aquaman Test Screening (Aug 2018)
A text message from Aquaman director James Wan to Amber Heard dated August 25, 2018, stating she 'rated really high with the audience' at a test screening.
Catalog entry →