Mera may not be one of the main superheroes in the DC Extended Universe, but that hasn't stopped Aquaman's Amber Heard from training like one. After all, the Queen of the sea must be capable of besting her counterpart, the King of the sea and of Atlantis, Arthur Curry, played by Jason Momoa in the shared universe. Momoa is scheduled to make his full debut as Aquaman in Zack Snyder's Justice League later this year, where he will be joined by Heard as the love of Arthur's life, Mera.
Heard's Mera joins a long list of characters -- General Antiope (Robin Wright), James Gordon (J.K. Simmons), Iris West (Kiersey Clemons), Martha Kent (Diane Lane), Nuidis Vulko (Willem Dafoe), and Dr. Silas Stone (Joe Morton), among others -- from each main superhero's supporting cast who will be on-hand in either cameos or small roles in Snyder's Justice League film, presumably to set up future installments in the burgeoning DCEU.
On such film is James Wan's Aquaman, which is currently filming in Australia. Heard reprises her role as Mera in the movie, and we know she has been training while on location. In a recent interview with People, Heard's trainer, Gunnar Peterson, revealed just how relentless her training has been, meeting four to five times a week for hours on end:
"She wanted to deliver for the character. [She trained] for a non-stop, no breaks hour with me, and then she went to her fight training, which was rigorous! Everything was athletically based. We trained movements, not muscles. Squat presses, sled work, and lots of work in a rotational plane against resistance. She is a true athlete. She was so consistent. Without her being so committed, the results would not have happened. She could not have been better! If I could bottle her drive and conviction I’d sell that as a pre-workout drink!”
Audiences have already gotten their first look at Mera in the upcoming film, and it seems clear that the actress had to undergo intensive physical training not only to fit into her skin-tight costume, but also to provide moviegoers and longtime fans with the best possible adaptation of the character. Heard has proudly displayed that training regimen by posting photos and videos online, showing herself exercising with her trainers as well as fellow Aquaman star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who plays Arthur's arch-nemesis, Black Manta.
In addition to the aforementioned people, the film features an impressive cast, such as Nicole Kidman (Atlanna), Dolph Lundgren (Nereus), Patrick Wilson (Ocean Master), Temuera Morrison (Thomas Curry), and more. At this point, there's still quite a bit that we don't know about the film, though we do know that it will be a swashbuckling adventure story set after the events of Justice League. Hopefully, we find out more about Aquaman at San Diego Comic-Con next month.
MORE: DC's Aquaman Gets a Jason Momoa Makeover
Source: People
