They had to do something. Aquaman paid a splendid $7.18, that's not a business you want to lose because of one idiot.

In my movie ROI database of over 5600 titles from 1915 to present, there are almost 300 franchises. The ROI of the 2nd installment across this subset has managed to pay 35% of what the first installment paid which, in this case, is just $2.51 (profit target being $2). Of course, there are exceptionally performing sequels, but getting all the variables right to achieve exceptional performance is not easy.

Managing the budget is one thing, but managing audience expectations is critical to getting maximum butts into seats to see it, and then having a movie that garners the CinemaScore to get the theatre legs is a thing, too. There's not a lot of room for error here.

@OddRob said:

Sooooo I guess the re shoots seem to have mostly been to write Meras character out. Cause we see her twice in the whole trailer with no lines. Looks like they are going with the brothers/mother arch instead. Good plan considering the shit Heard has been involved in....pun intended. Tariler

It's not sure what is happening with her role. TPTB could be minimizing her presence in trailers only and focus on Momoa and Wilson in the hope that when the movie arrives in December, the audience will find it so amazing that they'll accept her presence - 20-25 minutes - as wife and mother in Aquaman's family. So, she will be seen, but not heard as much - a few lines - because of a neck injury.

Do you guys get a buddy buddy cop vibe from this trailer? Or is it just me?

@OddRob said:

Do you guys get a buddy buddy cop vibe from this trailer? Or is it just me?

It's the bromance of the Seven Kingdoms.