New 'Aquaman' Set Photo Gives A New Look At Amber Heard As Mera, Queen Of Atlantis

Production is underway down in Australia on the first big screen adaptation of the DC Comics superhero Aquaman. At the helm is The Conjuring and Furious 7 director James Wan, and the filmmaker took to social media yesterday to post a new look at Amber Heard as Mera, Queen of Atlantis and the wife of the hero played by Jason Momoa.

Check out the new Aquaman photo below!

Here's what director James Wan posted to Twitter yesterday:

In some corners of the internet, the mere presence of color in this image is being celebrated. Just compare this photo to another one released by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder. Since Mera also has a role in his upcoming Justice League film, the director previously posted an image of Amber Heard in the film and...well, here's that photo side-by-side with the new image for reference. You be the judge:

It's important to remember that the photo James Wan posted is just a set photo, and it might not be how the color grading appears in the final cut of the movie. But if it is, it would be nice to see some brighter, bolder colors brought into the DC Extended Universe. Some of the complaints about the DCEU movies have revolved around the visuals and how dark of a palette Zack Snyder likes to work with. Even Superman's traditionally colorful suit looks muted and dull. So it would be nice to see Aquaman head off into a new direction.

The good news is that DC movies that aren't under the direction of Zack Snyder seem to be faring better, at least if the early buzz about Wonder Woman is to be believed. The embargo on reactions lifted last night, and many are calling it the best movie in the DC Extended Universe so far. Zack Snyder may have had a hand in producing the movie and casting Gal Gadot, but this movie belongs to Patty Jenkins, and it sounds like she knocked it out of the park. So maybe the DCEU can find its footing by letting filmmakers make DC Comics superhero movies their own instead of being forced to adhere to the world Zack Snyder created.

We'll know better when Aquaman hits theaters on December 21, 2018.

An icon for over 70 years, Aquaman is the King of the Seven Seas. This reluctant ruler of Atlantis, caught between a surface world constantly ravaging the sea and Atlanteans looking to lash out in revolt, is committed to protecting the entire globe.

Warner Bros. Pictures' action adventure "Aquaman," helmed by James Wan ("The Conjuring" films, "Furious 7"). Jason Momoa stars in the title role, returning to the character he plays in this fall's "Justice League."

The film also stars Amber Heard ("Justice League," "Magic Mike XXL") as Mera; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe ("Platoon," "Spider-Man 2") as Vulko; Temuera Morrison ("Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones," "Green Lantern") as Tom Curry; Dolph Lundgren ("The Expendables" films) as Nereus; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (upcoming "Baywatch," Netflix's "The Get Down") as Black Manta; with Patrick Wilson ("The Conjuring" films, "Watchmen") as Orm/Ocean Master; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours," "Lion") as Atlanna.

The film is being produced by Peter Safran, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Rob Cowan, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.