Depp v. Heard — Trial Archive
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Walter Hamada

Courtroom still of Walter Hamada.

Warner Bros. DC Films president who testified about Amber Heard’s Aquaman sequel contract and role

2022 Defamation Trial Apr 11 – Jun 1, 2022
Called by plaintiff
56 lines 2 proceedings 8 highlights

About

As president of DC Films at Warner Bros., Walter Hamada testified about Amber Heard’s contract, compensation and role in the Aquaman sequel. He said the studio exercised her existing option rather than releasing and rehiring her. He attributed a brief delay in exercising the option to concerns about her on-screen chemistry with Jason Momoa, not to statements by Johnny Depp or Adam Waldman. He also said the studio held actors to their option agreements rather than renegotiating their pay, and that the sequel was conceived around Momoa and Patrick Wilson rather than a larger role for Heard.

On cross-examination, Hamada said the chemistry concerns had been discussed verbally and were not documented in writing. A 2018 text from director James Wan said Heard rated highly in audience testing. Hamada said editorial work to create on-screen chemistry was standard filmmaking practice, and described production of the sequel as smooth.

Trial Record (2)

2022 Defamation Trial Apr 11, 2022 – Jun 1, 2022 2 proceedings

Day 21

Direct Direct Examination of Walter Hamada Walter Hamada Benjamin Chew 4 31
Summary

Warner Brothers president Walter Hamada testifies Heard was never released from her Aquaman 2 contract and that Depp's or Waldman's statements had no effect on her compensation.

Highlights (4)
Quote

“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.”

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Cross Cross Examination of Walter Hamada Walter Hamada Elaine Bredehoft 4 25
Summary

Bredehoft cross-examines Hamada on Aquaman 2 chemistry concerns, eliciting that no documentation existed and that Heard tested well with audiences in 2018.

Highlights (4)

Evidence From Their Proceedings (2)

Documents Unclear

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…

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Digital Communications Unclear

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.

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