“I Love It More Than Acting”

Jason Momoa has shared his experience creating Apple TV+’s upcoming historical drama Chief of War, revealing more about the show’s production. Momoa’s latest TV show takes place on the Hawaiian Islands during the 19th century, focusing on his character, the warrior Kaʻiana. Momoa co-created the series with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, co-writing the series with him and Doug Jung.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Joe Deckelmeier, Momoa explained his role behind-the-scenes for Chief of War, particularly discussing the final episode, which he directed. He discussed what it was like writing for co-stars Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis, while teasing an intense fight sequence that was “shot completely out of order.” Check out what Momoa had to say below:

Joe Deckelmeier: Jason, let me say you’re not just a great actor, but you are a f**king amazing director. That episode nine blew me away. Talk to me about what you wanted to bring with your vision in the director’s chair.

Jason Momoa: I mean, I’m literally writing for the two my two favorite actors, so Temuera and Cliff Curtis. That scene with Cliff Curtis is the longest scene in our whole series. I wrote every beat and every moment of that for him, and you’re writing for your heroes. First time they’ve been together since Once Were Warriors.

I’m making a fight scene that’s shot completely out of order. I wanted to shoot from day into night and be able to have to shoot every character within that light scheme. So you’re shooting from four in the morning till four in the afternoon, but you’re shooting reverse. I’m directing five units.

I’ve been directing for more than a decade, I love it more than acting. I want to be responsible. I want to be able to make the choices. I’m going to be judged by the choices I’m going to make.

What Momoa’s Creative Involvement Means For Chief Of War

His Vision Is A Core Part Of The Apple TV+ Show’s Development

As Momoa stated, he’s been directing for over a decade, with his feature film directorial debut being 2014’s Road to Paloma. Since then, he’s also directed five episodes of his nonfiction travel series On the Roam, while also co-wrote the story for 2022’s The Last Manhunt and 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. He’s typically onscreen, but has experience offscreen.

Momoa’s first writing and directing credit is the 2011 short film Brown Bag Diaries: Ridin’ the Blinds in B Minor, where he starred as Mikey.

Chief of War is already shaping up to be a huge new TV show for Apple TV+. The nine-episode series is poised to tell the action-packed story of Hawai’i’s history in fending off colonization. Its blended approach of accurate history and dramatic events means it will be both entertaining to watch and important to learn from.

Jason Momoa’s Upcoming Show Has All The Makings Of Being The Next Shogun

Jason Momoa’s upcoming show set in Hawaii looks like the perfect combination of action and real history making it a great watch for fans of Shogun.

Based on Momoa’s statement, the final episode will be particularly exciting, both because of a massive battle that will take place, and for the character moments in the writing. His statement compliments Chief of War‘s trailers, which have also centered Morrison and Curtis’ characters as vital parts of the larger story that plays out.

Our Take On Momoa Writing & Directing For Chief Of War

It’s A Project He’s Passionate About

Jason Momoa in Chief of War, shirtless and looking to the side

With how much time he’s spent on writing, directing, and starring in Chief of War, he clearly has a strong passion for the Apple TV+ show. His co-creation of the series with Sibbett is just one part he’s played in its larger production. Because of this, the series could be one of the best new originals on the streaming platform.

Episodes of Chief of War are being released weekly, meaning it’ll be quite some time before the final battle Momoa teased will happen onscreen. However, with how much his creative involvement has shaped the series, it sounds like it will be more than worth the wait to see him direct the last episode.

Chief of War premieres with two episodes on Friday, August 1 on Apple TV+.