Jason Momoa’s new historic drama present, Chief of Battle, is successful with audiences and critics alike, and the actor and collection creator are talking out a few controversial, real-life character who’s depicted within the collection. Momoa, who as soon as starred in Stargate Atlantis and Sport of Thrones, has been additional establishing himself as a serious face of tv.
He has additionally been busy at work as a film star. The prolific actor appeared in a number one position on this 12 months’s A Minecraft Film, which is presently 2025’s third-highest-grossing movie. Momoa will subsequent be seen on the massive display screen within the movies Within the Hand of Dante, Supergirl, Dune: Half Three, and several other extra.
Momoa’s new Apple TV+ collection, Chief of Battle, depicts the battle of the kingdoms of Hawaii within the 1800s. Throughout an interview with ScreenRant‘s Joe Deckelmeier, Momoa and co-creator Thomas Paʻa Sibbett mentioned the inclusion of Kamehameha, a controversial king of Hawaii, who’s performed by Kaina Makua.
Momoa and Paʻa Sibbett revealed through the interview that Makua was born to play Kamehameha, and that they did not do a lot to educate him as a result of he already had the efficiency nailed from the very starting.
ScreenRant: What made him the appropriate alternative to hold that position? And the way did you guys work with him in channeling that lived-in authenticity into his efficiency?
Jason Momoa: We did not educate him a factor.
Thomas Paʻa Sibbett: No, we did not. [Laughs] He did that.
Jason Momoa: We are able to barely speak to him. He is so good, he was born to play this position, he was born to step in these footwear. I feel he perpetuates every little thing {that a} Hawaiian Kanaka is. The second I laid eyes on him, I am like, “Who’s that?” After which after I acquired to know him, he had all these attributes. And actually, for us, placing him in entrance of the digital camera, he really felt actually comfy. I am positive he felt somewhat nervous, however you could not watch a superb efficiency for 10 years into my profession, like, he is out of the gates, similar to a hammer. He was born for this, and that second was born for me to see him and go like, “There was no casting. If he did not play it, we would not have it. You’re it.” And we actually needed to persuade him, as a result of he didn’t need to do it.
Thomas Paʻa Sibbett: He is not chasing it. We couldn’t lure him or try him with Hollywood glory.
Jason Momoa: No cash, nothing might ever [sway him], something. He cared about his neighborhood, cared about educating, cared about his household. He did not need to go away. There have been all this stuff the place he is rather like, “No, I’ve an excessive amount of duty.” And I am like, “I imply, this can be a fairly large factor. That is going to supply quite a bit for all of our youngsters.” And I do not blame him. He has constructed this world that’s stunning, and I see the reluctancy to it. However, lastly, he trusted us. We’re brothers now, however he was the center. I’ve by no means needed to court docket anybody, no girl, male, nothing. That was the toughest court docket I’ve ever needed to do to get him.
Thomas Paʻa Sibbett: Even then, he did not do it for us. He actually got here as a result of he mentioned he understands the burden of the story, understands the burden of this character. And, “Though this isn’t me, this isn’t my life. I do not actually need to be a component, I do not need to be an actor. I’ll do that as a result of it is going to assist perpetuate [the message]. It will assist be one thing for the youngsters. And, as a byproduct, it is really for our mother and father who’ve by no means seen this, it is for our grandparents who’ve by no means seen this. We have by no means had illustration at this stage.”
Jason Momoa: “I can’t communicate English.” Wouldn’t communicate English in any respect.
Thomas Paʻa Sibbett: I took Kaina to dinner for an hour and a half. He by no means spoke any English. If he knew you had a Polynesian background — you did not even need to be Hawaiian, if he knew that you simply spoke Polynesian, he spoke to you in Hawaiian. And that was it. We figured it out, different individuals figured it out.
Jason Momoa: The actual deal. The actual deal. And he has a lot presence.
What This Means For Chief of Battle’s Future
Chief of Battle boasts spectacular performances from everybody within the forged, particularly Makua. The showrunner notes how Makua put his complete coronary heart and soul into the challenge, and, due to his cultural background, he appears to be bringing a sure authenticity to the collection as effectively.
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Chief of Battle is receiving rave opinions from each critics and audiences. The collection presently holds a 92% recent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, in addition to an 81% viewers rating. Primarily based on the reception, it appears doubtless that Chief of Battle will come again for a second season.
Our Take On This Controversial Character In Chief Of Battle
It appears that evidently Makua brings grace to a difficult character. He’s arguably one of many highest facets of the collection, which options probably the greatest TV battles of 2025, one which’s even on par with a specific Sport of Thrones struggle scene.
The truth that Makua was in a position to tackle this position with out a lot steering is extraordinarily spectacular, to say the least. The present additionally options one in every of Jason Momoa’s finest performances.
If Chief of Battle is given a season 2, it will be pleasant to see Makua return. However, solely time will inform if a season 2 is picked up, and if the breakout star will return.
Chief of Battle
7/10
- Launch Date
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July 31, 2025
- Community
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Apple TV+
- Administrators
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Justin Chon