Aquaman movie: Why Amber Heard said yes to Mera role in Jason Momoa blockbuster

The star will be seen in the upcoming Aquaman movie alongside Jason Momoa, having first appeared as the character in last year’s Justice League.

In a new interview, she’s revealed what it was that drew her to the role.

“That Mera has her own name,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

“Before I decided to take on this role I read a couple of the comic books and I was struck by how Mera was introduced.

“She comes into this one scene in the first comic I read where Arthur [Momoa] is attempting to save the town from a flood and she helps him. She has an equal part in saving this village.

“And these civilians turn to each other and say, ‘Who is that? Is that Aquawoman?’ And she says something to the effect of, ‘No, I have my own name, my name is Mera.’”

She continued: “That resonated with me as somebody who’s always been allergic to being the damsel, the two-dimensional archetype of what women are often limited to in this industry — especially in the superhero world.

“So when I spoke to [Justice League director Zack Snyder] he got me at ‘warrior queen.’

“He said, ‘You get a sword and a crown’ and I’m like, ‘Okay, you know how to play to your audience.’”

Aquaman picks up with Arthur Curry learning that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and sees him stepping up to the plate.

Nicole Kidman is on board as Queen Atlanna, as is Patrick Wilson as the Ocean Master.

DC will be hoping it helps to undo the reputation damage done by Justice League, which received bad reviews and failed to fly at the box office.

But with Wonder Woman faring incredibly well, there’s certainly scope for Aquaman to reignite that momentum.

Aquaman is out on December 21.