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Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘This is my ancestors, this is my people': Why ‘Chief of War' is Jason Momoa's most personal project yet
Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Apple TV+ Advertisement 'It makes me emotional,' said Momoa, who not only stars in the series but co-created and co-wrote it with frequent collaborator Thomas Pa'a Sibbett. 'It's your life's work, you know?' 'I've never taken everything out like that. I got nothing else left,' he added. 'This is my ancestors, this is my people, my family — nothing's been done like this.' Momoa, who turns 46 on Friday, the same day 'Chief of War' premieres its first two episodes, also served as an executive producer and directed the season finale. He takes center stage as protagonist Ka'iana, an exiled war chief trying to live in peace with his family. Advertisement Ka'iana is driven by his sense of duty and reluctantly joins a bloody campaign led by the power hungry King Kahekili of Maui (Temuera Morrison), who manipulates Ka'iana into helping him take over a neighboring kingdom. At odds with the king, Momoa's character and his family flee the clutches of Kahekili. In addition to showcasing these historical battles, the show explores early conflicts and cultural exchanges between the native populace and outsiders from the West. While traveling the world aboard a British merchant ship, Ka'iana learns firsthand about firearms and the horrors of colonization, bringing this knowledge back to his people when he returns home. He later joins forces with King Kamehameha of Hawai'i (Kaina Makua) in his bid to unite the islands into one kingdom. The show is largely inspired by real events. Having starred in From left: Jason Momoa and Temuera Morrison in "Chief of War." Apple TV+ 'I thought 'Star Wars' was big, but this was just as big,' said Morrison, 64. In a Zoom interview, the longtime 'Star Wars' actor noted that costar Cliff Curtis compared 'Chief of War' to working on James Cameron's 'Avatar.' 'They don't get any bigger than 'Star Wars,' 'Avatar,' and all those, but this was big. It's epic.' Advertisement 'I could get a sense of how big it was when we were down in New Zealand. It looked like everybody I knew for over the 30 years of the film industry were on set,' added the New Zealand actor, who's of Māori descent. In addition to featuring mostly Polynesian performers, the dialogue of the series is spoken predominantly in the 'Ōlelo Hawai'i language, which Momoa, Morrison, and the rest of the cast worked tirelessly to learn. Morrison said that he wanted to 'be the best one' to impress native speakers in the audience 'It was like going back to school again, which I wasn't very good at,' joked Morrison about the language lessons he had to take with his cast members in Hawai'i. 'These things only come along once in a blue moon, so I'm very proud to be involved with the project.' 'You have to remember, [the cast] didn't know how to speak Ōlelo … and it's nothing like Māori,' said Momoa. Momoa said he and his team went to great lengths to make sure that everything from the dialect to even certain facial expressions during battle scenes were authentic to Hawaiian practices and culture, praising stars Curtis (who plays nobleman Keōua) and Morrison, in particular, for embracing the language and their roles. 'They transformed,' said Momoa, adding that 'they definitely deserve some nods' when awards season comes around. From left: Temuera Morrison and Ocean Kaowili in "Chief of War." Apple TV+ Momoa, who was born in Hawai'i, raised in Iowa, and is of Native Hawaiian and Samoan descent, recalled how, as a kid, he'd take a 'deep dive' into his ancestral history while visiting places like the Advertisement 'There's not a lot of Hawaiian actors and there has not [been] a lot of opportunities,' Momoa said. 'The funny thing is, we shoot a lot here, but we're not telling Hawaiian stories here, at least not to that level.' Morrison admitted that he was hesitant at first to accept the call to play King Kahekili, as he didn't want to take the job from a Hawaiian actor. However, Momoa reminded him to focus on the shared brotherhood of Polynesian cultures. ''We're the same people, brother.' And those simple words, I knew that anyway, but it was a reminder,' said Morrison. And with a cast featuring many first-time performers, the actor sensed Momoa also 'needed some experienced fellas around.' Mainei Kinimaka in "Chief of War." Apple TV+ Growing up watching historical epics like 'The Last of the Mohicans,' 'Dances with Wolves,' and 'Braveheart,' Momoa wanted to create something in that vein rooted in Hawaiian lore. He and Sibbett researched and worked on ideas 'for a decade,' finding inspiration in Arthurian legends as their way into telling stories about kings like Kamehameha, who famously united the Hawaiian Islands under one rule in 1810. While they would eventually bring the idea to Apple TV+, Momoa didn't want to pitch the show until he had proven himself as a star, even though creating a show like 'Chief of War' had always 'been a real big goal.' Advertisement 'I needed to wait until 'Aquaman' did well. I needed to wait until I had flexed my acting muscles with 'See' and proven myself to a network that was worthy of making something on this scale,' Momoa said, later admitting he never thought he'd get the chance to lead a project of this scale when he started acting. 'No, not from ['Baywatch: Hawaii'], I did not think I would get here. But I did know that, when I did fall in love with acting, I knew I wanted to direct and tell stories. I knew I was capable of telling some Hawaiian stories.' Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Apple TV+ Both Momoa and Morrison want 'Chief of War' to motivate viewers in Polynesia and beyond to embrace the history of the islands, with Momoa hoping they'll feel proud and inspired to 'fight for our language, our cultural arts, I mean everything — our stories.' 'I want all the young people of Polynesia to look at this and feel proud that we're the same people,' said Morrison. 'And that's important, knowing who you are.' Bringing the stories of his ancestors to life after all of these years, Momoa said the wait was worth it, calling 'Chief of War' 'the tip of the spear' of his career. 'This is the tippy top,' said Momoa. 'This is as high as it gets for me.' 'Chief of War' premieres Friday on Apple TV+. Matt Juul can be reached at
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Must-see TV: Jason Momoa's 'Chief of War' tops this week's watch list
Chief of War Debut Executive produced and written by Jason Momoa, the nine-episode series is based on true events and follows warrior Ka'iana as he tries to unify the islands of Hawaii before Western colonization in the late 18th century. When: Friday on Apple TV+ Article content Dexter: Resurrection New Episode After dispatching the murderous 'Dark Passenger,' Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) accepts an invite to a dinner party where all the guests are serial killers — just like him. When: Friday on Paramount+ Article content Article content Article content Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took Over the World Special CNN goes behind the scenes to reveal how Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof and singer-songwriter Midge Ure organized a star-studded benefit concert that brought in more than $127 million for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1985. When: Sunday on CNN Article content Article content Article content Trainwreck: P.I. Moms Documentary Investigates an early 2000s reality show about private eye moms and the drug scandal that sabotaged the series and its stars. When: Now streaming on Netflix Article content
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Chief of War to Hurricane Katrina: the seven best shows to stream this week
An epic history lesson, courtesy of the mountainous Jason Momoa. When we first meet Ka'iana (Momoa) he is something of a loner, capturing a shark with his bare hands and some rope. But he is coaxed back into armed service by the prophecy of an invasion that will lead to the unification of Hawaii. The drama is based on true events and great care has evidently been taken to present an authentic version of this undertold story. It is steeped in Polynesian cultural practices but it is also full of universal, action-adventure staples – namely, political machinations that periodically dissolve into prolonged outbreaks of expertly choreographed, frequently blood-curdling violence. Phil HarrisonApple TV+, from Friday 1 August Twenty years have now passed since the horrifying events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, but this gripping series brings the trauma back to life in visceral style. What began as an appalling natural disaster soon became a national crisis then an outrage of governmental negligence and structural racism which came to embody – and irrevocably taint – the final years of George W Bush's presidency. To watch the footage now is to be reminded of how close even the most seemingly advanced societies are to breakdown and chaos. Essential. PH Disney+, from Sunday 27 July This documentary, delayed from June, explores the death of British woman Christine Robinson who was raped and murdered at a safari lodge in South Africa in 2014. After the local police drew a blank, Robinson's niece Lehanne took it upon herself to hunt her aunt's killer remotely. She located the suspect online and began a long-distance relationship with Andrea Imbayarwo, who had, by this time, fled the country. Her actions led to his arrest and conviction. Harrowing but also a remarkable story of crime and punishment in the social media age. PH Prime Video, from Sunday 27 July This Netflix series is turning out to be an engaging source of quirky, marginal human interest stories. Its latest documentary explores the 2019 Storm Area 51 Facebook event, which was started by Matty Roberts as a joke but soon became dangerously real. The nominal idea was to see if anyone fancied uncovering the truth about alien lifeforms held in the US airforce facility Area 51. However, by the time the event had attracted the (virtual) attention of more than three million people, Roberts realised he'd created a monster he could no longer control. PH Netflix, from Tuesday Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion A trippy and inventive animation for the summer holidays. StuGo introduces six gifted students tricked into attending a fake summer camp by eccentric scientist Dr Lullah, whose propensity for swishing her gown around like she's on a catwalk should have been a dead giveaway. Once the youngsters arrive on her island, they find an environment that is rife with danger but also full of perilous fun. It's a world of mind-reading manatees, huge fighting fungi, human cacti and a crocodile wearing jeans, and soon the kids are having a blast. PH Disney+, from Wednesday 30 July The southern belle stylings of Leanne Morgan meet the sitcom smarts of Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) to create this comedy. Morgan plays Leanne, who discovers that Bill (Ryan Stiles), her husband of 33 years, has cheated on her. The devastating blow launches a flurry of gags about menopause, midlife crises and recovering your dating mojo, as Leanne – with her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) – looks to move on. It has hysterical studio audience reactions and hits its formulaic comic beats with confidence. PH Netflix, from Thursday 31 July The idea of spies who alternate domestic bliss with espionage activities peaked with The Americans. But this French-Canadian thriller retools the premise, starring Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin and Patrick Labbé as Rachel and Émile, two agents with a loving relationship, a couple of kids and – after a shooting at a consulate exposes a CIA operation – dangerously contrasting professional missions. To make matters worse, Émile needs to root out a double agent in the organisation. Could this lead him dangerously close to home? PH Channel 4, from Friday 1 August
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Jason Momoa's "Chief of War" Is a Polynesian Cultural Moment
It's not every day that Hollywood hands the keys to an epic, large-scale historical drama over to an Indigenous creative team, but with Apple TV+'s Chief of War, Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett seized their opportunity and built a breathtaking cultural monument. The sweeping nine-episode saga, premiering August 1, centers on the unification of the Hawaiian islands at the turn of the 18th century, an era fraught with tribal warfare, political upheaval and the looming threat of Western colonization. At its heart, Chief of War is more than a story about battles won or lost. It's a reclamation of cultural identity, told through the eyes of Polynesian people by Polynesian people, in their language. "It's mind-blowing to be able to tell this incredible story of my ancestors and to do it with an amazing cast and brilliant team behind the camera," Momoa says in the show's production notes. "Ka'iana knew what was coming from the outside world. He was fearless, devoted, a visionary. His journey is full of action, drama, and romance—but it's ultimately about love for his people." Ka'iana (Momoa) is a complex figure in Hawaiian history who has been both celebrated and condemned by historians for his shifting allegiances in the tumultuous years before unification. In Chief of War, Ka'iana is portrayed as a man struggling between tradition, ambition and survival in the face of rapid change. A former war chief returning home after years abroad, he finds himself caught between competing chiefs, colonial powers and his own internal battles with loyalty and legacy. Jason Momoa as Ka'iana in new series "Chief of War," which he co-created. Jason Momoa as Ka'iana in new series "Chief of War," which he co-created. Nicola Dove/AppleTV Cultural Deep Dive While Ka'iana's personal journey drives much of the drama, the larger narrative belongs to King Kamehameha, played by Kaina Makua. The series traces Kamehameha's mission to unify the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, O'ahu and Kaua'i under one rule—an unprecedented political and spiritual undertaking that would forever alter the destiny of the Pacific. Kamehameha's campaign is not depicted as a straightforward military conquest; it's complicated by fractured alliances, internal betrayals and the weight of prophecy. Through this lens, Chief of War offers a rare glimpse into a chapter of history often overlooked by Western media. It dives deep into the customs, hierarchies and belief systems that shaped precolonial Hawai'i, with a particular emphasis on the role of women, spiritual leaders and the sacred ties to the land and sea. For Temuera Morrison, who plays cunning King Kahekili of Maui, bringing this story to life required tapping into something deeper than craft. "I had to draw on thunder and lightning for my performance," he says. "I wanted to bring a little bit of what Polynesians call that inner power—that essence, that scariness. Fortunately, we're trained in Māori haka. Haka—if you break it down—'ha' is the breath, 'ka' is the fire. We needed a lot of that in this epic." Morrison credits the trust placed in him by Momoa and the writers. "When they said 'action,' it was our time to ignite ourselves and do the best we possibly could," he adds. Prince Kupule, right, played by Brandon Finn. Prince Kupule, right, played by Brandon Finn. Nicola Dove/AppleTV Cliff Curtis, who plays King Kamehameha's rival chief Keoua, also stepped in as a co-producer, helping to shepherd the series through the complex cultural protocols of filming across Polynesia. "What's unique about the series is that it's been written, directed, produced by Hawaiians, by Jason and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, and drawn from their ancestral stories," Curtis says. "We filmed a large segment in Aotearoa [New Zealand], and it was important to honor the tribes of those lands. I was proud to help lead that process—acknowledging the many tribal boundaries where we worked, engaging with about 25 different tribes." That reverence extended far beyond location agreements. Morrison shares how the production functioned on multiple cultural levels. "We'd stamp our feet to connect to Mother Earth. We'd say prayers to connect us to the heavens above. We're just manifestations of that energy," he says. "So when it came time to work, we brought that energy with us." For Makua, a cultural practitioner and taro farmer from Kaua'i, stepping into the role of King Kamehameha required some persuasion. "I wasn't looking to be an actor," he says. "My purpose is with our youth, grounding them in farming, in culture, every day." Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off. "But after prayer, talking to our elders, I came to the decision. I was told, 'If not you, then who?' So I tried my best to fill the shoes of Kamehameha." On set in Aotearoa, he made a point of speaking only 'Ōlelo Hawai'i—the Hawaiian language—whenever possible. "It helped the other actors get comfortable, get accustomed to the language. It made it easier for them to do them, on set." 'Part of Something Special' Language is a central pillar of Chief of War. Much of the series is performed entirely in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i, a remarkable choice in a global television landscape often driven by English-first storytelling. "One of the privileges we had was, I didn't speak one word of English in the whole series," Curtis says. "It made me feel like I was part of something special. We're connected to our ancestors and our descendants, and this is for them—to give future generations a remnant of their culture to look upon and celebrate their own language in the way we've tried to portray them." Authenticity ripples through Chief of War, from handcrafted kapa garments and feathered capes to the precise recreation of 18th-century Hawaiian villages. The commitment to accuracy extended to collaboration with Hawaiian cultural practitioners and language supervisors on set. As Morrison says, "It all goes back to the script. It's written with care, and it's our job to interpret it with as much integrity as possible." Moses Goods, who portrays Moku—Kamehameha's adviser and father to Ka'ahumanu—says that the depth of cultural nuance in the storytelling only enriched his performance. "That's what an actor wants, right? Roles that are complex and layered, full of conflicting emotions," he says. "Moku is navigating the new world coming to them while trying to balance that with their gods and traditions. At the same time, he's marrying off his daughter. It's all of these things kind of jumbled up inside of me. That just makes for a much more interesting and complex character to watch and portray." That dynamic plays out powerfully in one of Ka'ahumanu's most pivotal moments: her encounter with the prophetess who reveals a heavy destiny. For Luciane Buchanan, who plays the future queen, this doesn't just shape her path—it deepens her connection to her father. "It creates a secret between them that carries through the series," Buchanan says. "How they're going to make it work, they don't know, but they know they'll face it together." Te Ao o Hinepehinga, who plays Kupuohi, described the cultural advisers on the production as the voices of the characters. Te Ao o Hinepehinga, who plays Kupuohi, described the cultural advisers on the production as the voices of the characters. Nicola Dove/AppleTV Buchanan's portrayal captures the weight of inherited responsibility and the quiet resilience of women navigating a world of powerful men. The shared sense of Pacific connection was palpable across the production, particularly among the women. Buchanan and Te Ao o Hinepehinga, who portrays Kupuohi, both spoke of the strength they drew from the women guiding them, both on set and in spirit. "We're very privileged in Polynesia to be raised by strong women," Hinepehinga says. "My greatest inspiration was my language coach. She and the other cultural advisors weren't just teaching us the language—they were the voices of these characters. We were just the mouthpieces." Buchanan agrees. "They really helped, but they didn't override our performances. They would ask, 'How do you want to do it?' It felt collaborative, empowering." Her connection to Ka'ahumanu deepened with a pilgrimage to the queen's birthplace in Maui before filming. "It was a very beautiful moment. It kind of set me up to bring that intention, to physically see a place where she had been. Those moments are rare in this industry." Both actresses emphasized the unique challenge and reward of portraying women whose power isn't always wielded through physical strength, but through strategy, influence and quiet resilience. "These women aren't just strong; they're the silent leaders, the unsung heroes," says Hinepehinga. "The show shines a light on that. I hope women watching feel empowered to continue that work." Deep Connections That spirit of unity extends beyond the screen. Goods reflects on how Chief of War subtly reframes our understanding of Polynesia itself. "We call it the blue continent. The water isn't a barrier—it's a highway that connected us. There was a time when we traveled freely between islands and our languages, our customs, our stories were shared. This show reminds us of that connection." It's a connection Momoa felt deeply. "When people come from far and wide to Hawai'i, they fall in love with it because there's something special—it's an umbilical cord to the center of the Earth," he says. "But many people have no idea of our history." With Chief of War, that history has been given the platform it deserves: one paddled forward not just by its creators, but by generations who came before and those still to come.
Tom's Guide
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Apple TV Plus drops thrilling new trailer for Jason Momoa's historical drama show — and it's giving serious 'Game of Thrones' vibes
Apple TV Plus' "Chief of War" has been on my radar for a little while now, and every clip I've seen from the show only has me wanting to watch it more. Clearly, I'm not alone on this particular hype train, either. The streaming service dropped a full trailer for Jason Momoa's new, based-on-true-events historical drama less than 24 hours ago, and it's already racked up over 2 million views on YouTube, at the time of writing. If you've seen the new footage already, you'll know why it's doing that well: it makes "Chief of War" look like an utterly captivating watch. If not, you can see it below: Within this 3-minute clip, we're invited to "witness the rise of the kingdom of Hawai'i," and on the strength of what's here, I am ready to heed the call. Throughout, we see brutal battles, stunning scenery and plenty of drama. We meet our ensemble, and hear their fears, and hear plenty of talk of war and the stakes are set. Momoa even flexes his Aquaman muscles a little, hitching a ride on a shark. The feeling I'm getting is that "Chief of War" is going to be a must-watch for fans of shows like "Game of Thrones" or "Shōgun." Having loved both shows myself, you can bet I'll be seated when this epic new tale hits the Apple streamer this summer. If you're not up to speed on the Apple TV Plus series yet, "Chief of War" is an epic new show about the unification and colonisation of Hawai'i, told from an indigenous perspective and based on true events. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Across nine episodes, "Chief of War" follows Native Hawaiian warrior and noble, Ka'iana (Momoa). Ka'iana sets out to unify the islands before Western colonisation at the turn of the 18th century. The cast is predominantly Polynesian; along with Momoa, "Chief of War" also features Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale'o, Brand Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka, and Benjamin Hoetjes Apple bills it as a "passion project" series for co-creators Momoa and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, and it was written and exec-produced by Momoa, who also directs the series finale. Oh, and did I mention it features theme music written by the prolific film composer, Hans Zimmer? The series will receive a two-episode premiere on Friday, August 1, with new episodes dropping every week, through to the series finale on September 19. If you're looking for something to stream in the meantime, check out our guide to the best Apple TV Plus shows for plenty more streaming recommendations to help build out your watchlist.
