Big Jase is gonna rain some pain in this 18th century Hawaiian epic.
Jason Momoa, former Aquaman and future Lobo, is just built for historical and fantasy epics. He was the best thing in a pretty risible Conan the Barbarian movie back in 2011, remains one of the most memorable elements in Game of Thrones despite not surviving the first season, and his turn in Canadian historical series Frontier is top tier. Now he’s bringing that “born before electric lighting” vibe to Chief of War for Apple TV+.
Chief of War Trailer
What’s the plot?
Set in late 18th century Hawai‘i when the four major kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands were pretty much at each others’ throats 24/7, Chief of War sees Momoa as real life warrior and noble Kaʻiana, dubbed “the most famous Hawaiian in the world”. As Kamehameha I wages war to unify the islands, and various colonial powers eye them as potential Imperial conquests, Ka’iana finds himself caught in the middle.
Momoa also co-created this one along with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, and is executive producing through his Pride of Gypsies shingle. Hey, you tell him it’s problematic…
Who’s in it?
- Jason Momoa is Kaʻiana
- Temuera “Jake the Muss” Morrison is Chief Kahekili
- Luciane Buchanan is Kaʻahumanu
- Te Ao o Hinepehinga is Ka’iana
- Kaina Makua is Kamehameha I
- Moses Goods is Moku
- Siua Ikaleʻo is Nahiʻ
- Brandon Finn is Prince Kūpule
- James Udom is Tony
- Mainei Kinimaka is Heke
- Te Kohe Tuhaka is Namakeʻ
- Siaosi Fonua is Maui
- Cliff “Uncle Bully” Curtis is Keōua
- Erroll Shand is Capt. John Meares
When’s it out?
Chief of War gets a global release on Apple TV+ on August 1, 2025. The first two eps are dropping at once, with the next seven coming out Fridays.
What’s the vibe?
Firstly, we love a good historical epic ’round these parts, so we’re halfway over the line for this already. Secondly, it’s told from an Indigenous perspective, which is pretty rare for your big blood ‘n’ thunder epics – they either stick in a white POV character (look, Lawrence of Arabia rules, but it’s still guilty) or it’s white people colonising other white people (that’ll be Braveheart) or it’s about the US Civil War (and look: fair). And given the absolute bastardry the British and Americans got up to when invading Hawai’i, nine episodes of man mountain Momoa caving in their skulls sounds like 10 episodes worth of fun. Obviously there’ll be more to it than that, but that’s the sizzle.
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