Superhero movies do not come with budget-friendly price tags. Given the amount of work that goes into each of these films, the price to make them could be said to be justified. The 2019 film, Avengers: Endgame alone cost about a whopping $356 million to make. Now, Aquaman is also making its way to the list of expensive movies.
However, director James Wan might have to keep the budget for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in control as Warner Bros. is seemingly not pleased with how the budget is increasing. Apparently, the director received a request from the co-chief herself who simply stated that the reshooting budget for the film needs to be in check.
Bad News for Aquaman’s Reshoot Budget
According to a new report from Variety, two sources stated that before James Gunn and Peter Safran took the steering wheel of the DC Studios in their own hands, director James Wan was asked by the co-chief of Warner Bros, Pam Abdy, to reduce the reshoot budget for the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as the budget for the film has already extended beyond a whopping $205 million. This means that the sequel now finds itself on the list of the top 5 expensive movies in DC. Other films on the list include Justice League ($300 million), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ($263 million), The Dark Knight Rises ($230 million), and Man of Steel ($225 million).
According to Variety, if any of the DCU films releasing in 2023 have any more changes made to them, would mean that it would cost the studios millions more. The report reads, “Any further tweaks to any of the 2023 movies as to fully incorporate them into the new DC could easily cost millions more.”
Looks like the Aquaman sequel will go over budget if the team doesn’t pull back a bit. Wan just might have to accept lesser money to finish the film.
Also Read: Amber Heard Rumored To Be Completely Removed By WB From Aquaman 2 After Verdict Result
What Does This Mean for Amber Heard’s Mera?
After the courthouse conundrum that was the defamation trial, there were massive calls for Amber Heard to be cut off from the Aquaman sequel and be replaced by another actress. While there were debates and confusion about her playing the character Mera or not, nothing is yet confirmed about it. There were reports that suggested that due to the backlash, the scenes with Heard will be cut short.
Now, owing to Wan having to reduce the reshoot budget, it looks like things just might end up working in the favor of the actress and her scenes will be kept in the film, after all. Since the budget has already crossed $205 million, which is certainly not a small number, there might be no or very less re-shooting happening over at the sets of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
While the budget cuts might not be in favor of the director and the movie, it’s definitely beneficial to Heard who was in danger of losing out on the role completely. We are just going to have to wait and see how Wan navigates through this situation and if Heard’s Mera will be in the sequel.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released in theatres on December 25, 2023.
Source: Variety
