Jason Momoawill be at the forefront of another prestige drama for Apple TV+, but unlike the sci-fi dramaSee, his new showChief of Warwill be based on real history. The nine-episode miniseries, which was created by Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, will chronicle the wartime events of the kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands at the turn of the 18th century. Momoa, who will also executive produce and star in the series, is portraying the Native Hawaiian warrior and noble Ka’iana, who returns to his homeland and joins the war between the four major kingdoms.
Chief of Waralready looks like a natural replacement forGame of Thrones for Momoa, who played the vicious warrior chief Khal Drogo in Season 1 of the HBO mega-hit. However, while he was only a minor part of Game of Thrones,Momoa has referred toChief of Waras his “holy grail”, as the story will center around his character. While there have been very few details released about the show, its basis in reality means the show will stick to a specific part of Hawaiian history.
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Jason Momoa’s Chief Of War Tells A Real-Life Tale From History
It chronicles the story of the Hawaiian warrior noble Ka’iana
InChief of War,Momoa plays Ka’iana, a member of the Hawaiian noble classfrom the Puna region of the main island of Hawai’i. Ka’iana was born in 1755 (est.) and was the first Hawaiian chief to travel abroad, as he was recorded on the ship of the famous British explorer Captain James Cook on his final journey, around the year 1779. Ka’iana, or “Tianna” as Captain John Meares referred to him, returned from his travels to join the bloody power struggle in Hawaii between the kingdoms of Hawai’i, Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, per theHawaiian Historical Society.
Jason Momoa’s self-casting as Ka’iana is likely extremely accurate to history, as British explorer Captain John Meares described Ka’iana as “six feet five inches in stature, and the muscular form of his limbs was of an Herculean appearance.”
Ka’iana’s story is particularly intriguing from a political standpoint, and should make for a fascinating miniseries. He was originally aligned with the famous ruler Kamahameha I, who unified the Hawaiian kingdoms via conquest,but betrayed him at the 11th hour after being excluded from his war council. His defection to Kamehameha’s opposition ultimately led to his death, but not before he made his mark on the world at large.
How Jason Momoa’s Chief Of War Role Carries Echoes Of His Game Of Thrones Character
Both Ka’iana and Khal Drogo are warriors fighting for power
As a Native Hawaiian warrior chief,Momoa’s character inChief of Warbears some very obvious similarities with Momoa’s Khal Drogo fromGame of Thrones. Both characters are violent leaders who are engrossed in an ongoing struggle for land. Just as Ka’iana joins the war of the four Hawaiian kingdoms, Khal Drogo wars with the other Khals across the continent of Essos. Based on the time frame in which the show is set, the technological culture of Native Hawaiians will likely be similar to the Dothraki as well, in the simplicity of the weaponry, if nothing else.
While no specific release date has been revealed forChief of War, it is still tentatively planned for release at some point in 2024.
Chief of Warwill provide an interesting difference in the warrior chief character, though. Ka’iana is not just a mindless brute who gains his leadership via fighting skill; rather,he is an astute leader who was described by the Englishmen that met him as dignified and commanding in presence. To grossly oversimplify,Chief of Warcan depict what would happen if Khal Drogo was just as cunning as the other scheming leaders of theGame of Thronesuniverse.
