Jason Momoa Explains How He Cast 'Chief of War'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Jason Momoa stars in the new historical epic,Chief of War, as Ka'iana, a Hawaiian chief living in exile before he ventures beyond the islands. However, Momoa's experience with the project didn't begin with Ka'iana—but rather with a desire to explore this pivotal moment in Hawaiian history. In addition to starring in the series, Momoa serves as a co-creator and executive producer, and he directed the finale. "We wanted to talk about this time period," Momoa tellsTown & Countryabout his inspiration for the show. "We wanted to find a vehicle where we could cover a lot of different storylines." When they began casting the series, Momoa and fellow co-creator Thomas Pa'a Sibbett intentionally widened their search beyond the shores of the Hawaiian islands, and put out a casting call for all Polynesian actors. "It really opened the door for Polynesia," Momoa explains ofChief of War. "That's one of the things we're excited about: We have such a varied melting pot of Polynesian cultures that we're making a show of uniting the Hawaiian islands, but it's been this unification of Polynesia." Sibbett adds that the casting process "really became an excuse for us to reach across the Pacific and bring ourselves together." While many key roles—including Kamehameha—are played by Hawaiian actors, all the cast members who play the Hawaiian nobility, even those from other regions, were focused on getting the story right, Sibbett says. "Whether they were Native Hawaiian or not, because we have a lineage connection, we have cultural connections," he explains. "We really are relatives. So they put equally the same amount of respect they would do for their own stories they gave to us, and that quality shows. And it really, really made a difference." Here, get to know the cast ofChief of Warand the characters they portray: At the start ofChief of War, Ka'iana is living in exile with his family, including his half-brothers Namake and Nahi, his wife Kupuohi, and his sister-in-law Heke. Soon, he becomes the first chief to travel outside Hawai'i, before he returns to ally with Kamehameha in his mission to unite the islands. Ka'iana was "one of the first famous Hawaiians. He would travel the world, and you got to see that. I just thought that was a really beautiful story," Momoa says. Momoa is best known for portraying Aquaman in theAquamanfilms and Khal Drogo inGame of Thrones, as well as other major roles inDune,See, andFast X. Luciane Buchanan, an actress of Tongan descent from Aotearoa New Zealand, takes on the role of Ka'ahumanu. "She was destined" to play Ka'ahumanu, Momoa says. "She is a really, really talented actress. She came in, and that was it. She was unbelievable." Ka'ahumanu, the daughter of Moku, is sent to wed Kamehameha of Hawai'i. She also becomes a close ally of Ka'iana. "She was such a strong woman," Buchanan says. "She's quite polarizing. Some people in Hawai'i love her and think she's this iconic person, and some people look at her more critically." She adds, "Her legacy was to advance Hawai'i in a different way. She was curious. She was the first person in Hawai'i to get the language written. She got the Bible translated into Hawaiian. She was thinking ahead constantly." Buchanan previously starred as Rose inThe Night Agent, and is set to appear in the newestEvil Deadfilm,Evil Dead Burn. Māori and Tainui actor Temuera Morrison takes on the role of King Kahekili of Maui. At the start of the series, Kahekili tricks Ka'iana into helping him conquer the kingdom of O'ahu. "He ruled for quite some time," Morrison tellsT&Cof Kahekili. "Very strategic, very clever—that's where his strength was, how to manipulate, how to coerce people and use them for the betterment of his own. He believed in the God of Thunder." Over the course of the season, Kahekili becomes Ka'iana's chief antagonist. Morrison previously worked with Momoa in theAquamanseries, but is perhaps best known for playing Boba Fett in theStar Warsfranchise and starring as Jake inOnce We Were Warriors. Māori actor Cliff Curtis plays Keoua, who is in line to inherit the Hawai'i throne from his father, King Kalani'opu'u. "My character is a small part of the series," Curtis tellsT&C. "Ka'iana's mission is to unite the islands of Hawai'i, to prepare for the migration that's coming from Europe, and [Ka'iana meets] some obstacles along the way—and I'm one of those obstacles." Curtis made his on-screen debut in the Oscar-winning filmThe Piano, and has starred inOnce We Were Warriors,Training Day,Avatar: The Way of Water, among many other films and TV shows. Newcomer Kaina Makua, a Native Hawaiian farmer and educator, takes on the role of Kamehameha. Kamehameha is unexpectedly crowned King of Hawai'i, setting him on a journey to unite the islands. He is married to Ka'ahumanu. A few years ago, Momoa spotted Makua on the beach of Kaua'i. "I literally hit my cousin," he recalls, "I was like, 'Who the hell is that? I need to know him.' When I got to know him, it was just unbelievable. He's perfect. He was born to play this role. And I mean, that's crazy!" This is Makua's acting debut; before this, he worked as a farmer, and was previously a Hawaiian language teacher. Native Hawaiian actor Moses Goods takes on the role of Ka'ahumanu father, Moku (short for Ke'eaumoku), a chief advisor to Kamehameha. "Historically, Moku was the greatest war general and strategist of his time, and an incredibly fierce fighter," Goods explains. "Moku has two things that he loves—his people, and his daughter. Until now, he's been able to keep these two things separate. But inevitably, his daughter becomes intertwined in the political game that he has to play, and they're slowly trying to figure out how to navigate this game together." Goods has appeared inNCIS: Hawai'i,Hae Hawaii, andInhumans. His focus has been on the stage, though; he is the founder and artistic director of ʻInamona Theatre Company, and has a one man show,Duke, about the father of modern surfing, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Māori actor Te Kohe Tuhaka plays Ka'iana's middle brother, Namake. Namake is secretly in love with love with Kupuohi, Ka'iana's wife. In the production notes for the show, Tuhaka describes Namake as "the keeper of ceremonies for his family." He says, "He is the person who sees both sides of the story, well anchored in traditions and what it means to be Hawaiian. Throughout the series, he comes up against his own desires versus his responsibilities. He loves his brother so much, but he also loves [Kupuohi], and we see the vulnerabilities of this man who can be so stoic because he's trying to keep everything contained." Tuhaka has mainly worked in New Zealand, best known for projects includingThe Dead LandsandVegas. Māori actress Te Ao o Hinepehinga plays Ka'iana's wife, Kupuohi (also known as Kekupuohi). She was a warrior from Hawai'i island. Kupuohi was "known as the woman who was never taken down," Hinepehinga says. "And this is a woman who fought against, alongside and against some of the greatest warriors in Hawaiian history. And this woman held her own." "I wanted to say no" to the role, Hinepehinga tellsT&C. "I had a really hard time understanding why I should be the one to play a Kanaka [Native Hawaiian] character. I had to consult with my elders, and my mother was the one who encouraged me. I was very lucky that when I got here, my ohana here in Hawai'i did nothing but embrace me—and gave me so much aloha and gave me the confidence to feel like with them by my side, I knew I could do this in a way that would honor and honor her story. And I hopefully, I did a good job." She has previously starred inHead HighandBreakwater. Native Hawaiian actress Mainei Kinimaka, a fluent 'Ōlelo Hawai'i speaker, takes on the role of Heke, Kupuohi's younger sister and Ka'iana's sister-in-law. "When I was growing up, many of the films and TV shows taking place in Hawai'i weren't Hawaiian stories," Kinimaka says in the production notes. "The creation, values, and intentions ofChief of Warare entirely different. This show represents every single thing I've ever wanted to do as an artist." Kinimaka, also a professional surfer, is both Momoa's cousin and the daughter of surfing legend Titus Kinimaka. She made her acting debut inSee, and also appeared inThe Last Manhunt. Tongan-American actor Siua Ikale'o plays Nahi, Ka'iana's younger brother. In the series, Nahi also grapples with his feelings for Heke. "Heke is showing Nahi some attention," Ikale'o says. "He's starting to develop feelings, which feel to him like distractions. It's fun to see this giant of a man keep running away from this lovely and strong young woman." He made his television debut in 2022 onNCIS: Hawai'i. Native Hawaiian actor Brandon Finn takes on the role of Prince Kupule, King Kahekili's son. Working closely with Temeura Morrison, who portrays Kahekili, was a dream come true for him. "When I first met Temeura, I had to refrain from telling him that I grew up with a poster of him as Jango Fett in my bedroom," Finn says in the production notes of working with Morrison. "He was a Pacific Islander who made it into aStar Warsfilm. And suddenly I get the job playing his son, and I'm in a room in downtown Honolulu, doing 'Olelo Hawai'i lessons with Temuera Morrison. I had to suppress the fan in me, but he was so open about himself and his craft from the very beginning. I'm always going to appreciate that." Finn has previously appeared inFantasy IslandandThree Women. Māori actress Roimata Fox plays prophetess Taula, who appears to numerous characters throughout the series. "Taula is a name is for the prophet that is male or female," Professor Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa, who teaches at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, tellsT&C. "The Taula are imbued with the God, and they speak from the God. So they're possessed by anakua, or divine element, and they speak for that element." Like other MāoriChief of Warcast members, Fox has largely worked in Aotearoa New Zealand, appearing inA Remarkable Place to Die,The Brokenwood Mysteries,The Ring Inz, Cowboy Bebop, among other television series. James Udom takes on the role of Tony, a formerly enslaved sailor aboard the British merchant ship Nootka. Ka'iana befriends Tony during his travels. "He's based on a real person, formerly enslaved, who ended up in Hawai'i and was so dedicated to the people that they made him an honorary Hawaiian," explains Udom in the production notes. "Tony and Ka'iana are wary of each other as two strangers from two different parts of the world, but they find a real brotherhood and connection." Udom has previously appeared inEcho 3,The Sandman,The Tragedy of Macbeth, Judas and the Black Messiah, and other projects. Chief of Waris now streaming on Apple TV+.Shop Now You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game
Jason Momoa Explains How He Cast 'Chief of War' "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items throug...
