Once again, fans of the DC Universe find themselves embroiled in a passionate debate over the ideal actress to portray the beloved character of Mera in the Aquaman franchise. A recently unveiled piece of fan art envisions Emilia Clarke taking on the role, replacing Amber Heard, and the outcome is truly awe-inspiring.
Online audiences have taken notice of Diego de Sousa’s digital artwork. Mera’s iconic emerald-green armor and fiery auburn hair adorn Clarke.
The image has generated a lot of excitement. Fans have taken to social media to express their opinions on Emilia’s portrayal of Mera, with comments highlighting her beauty, elegance, and charm.
Amber Heard first played the character Mera in the movie “Justice League” in 2017 and then returned to the role in the successful film “Aquaman” in 2018. Nevertheless, she has faced significant scrutiny after her widely covered defamation trial involving her former spouse, Johnny Depp.
The trial, which garnered worldwide attention, sparked rumors about Heard’s potential departure from the upcoming Aquaman sequel. Warner Bros. ultimately decided to keep Heard in the role for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, despite reports of reduced screen time.
The recent fan art featuring Clarke has sparked renewed debates about who would be the most suitable choice for the role of Mera in the future. Reports suggest that James Gunn and Peter Safran, the newly appointed heads of DC Studios, are contemplating some major alterations to the DC Universe.
During the trial, Walter Hamada, President of DC Films, shared his thoughts on internal discussions about the potential recasting of Mera. These discussions arose from concerns about Heard’s on-screen chemistry with Jason Momoa, who portrays Aquaman.
Fans have long championed Emilia Clarke for the role. They cite her previous work with Momoa on HBO’s Game of Thrones as evidence of their undeniable on-screen chemistry.
Many believe that this dynamic could translate seamlessly into the Aquaman franchise. One fan even remarked, “Oh wow. This needs to happen. I’m uncertain if I could endure watching the new movie if [heard] is featured in it.”
Although Warner Bros. has not made any official announcements regarding the recasting of Mera, there is still a chance it could happen. Gunn and Safran are actively shaping the future of the DCU, and Clarke’s potential involvement would certainly offer a new and exciting perspective to the character.
The studio aims to breathe new life into its cinematic offerings. In its current state, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom made its debut in December 2023, receiving mixed reviews and grossing $434 million at the box office—considerably lower than its predecessor.
Heard reprised her role as Mera in the film, but her character had a noticeably smaller presence. This left many supporters feeling let down.
The fate of the Aquaman franchise is still in question. There are doubts about the series’ future, as Jason Momoa himself has expressed uncertainty.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jason Momoa expressed his thoughts on the future, indicating that he doesn’t see it as a matter of choice. It’s all about whether the audience loves it or not. If they do, there’s a chance. But at the moment, I’m thinking, ‘The situation doesn’t seem very promising’.”
With the DC Universe going through changes under fresh leadership, fans can’t help but be intrigued by the idea of Emilia Clarke taking on the role of Mera. Regardless of the outcome, the impressive fan art has presented a strong argument for Clarke’s portrayal as the Queen of Atlantis.
At present, viewers must remain patient and anticipate what lies ahead for Mera and the entire Aquaman series. However, it is evident that the discussion regarding who should wear the emerald scales is still ongoing.
