Jason Momoa Channels Passion and Power in New Historical Epic Chief of War

Jason Momoa, one of the brightest stars to emerge from Game of Thrones, is back with a bold new project that’s capturing attention well before its release. Following his massive success in The Minecraft Movie—a box office juggernaut nearing the billion-dollar mark—Momoa has pivoted towards a deeply personal and ambitious passion project: Chief of War, a historical epic set in 18th century Hawaii.

From Blockbuster Star to Cultural Epic Hero

Known widely for his iconic role as Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones, Momoa has built a diverse career balancing blockbuster hits and meaningful storytelling. Recently, he joked with GQ that he’d “saved cinema” with The Minecraft Movie, highlighting his knack for blending commercial success with charisma. Now, he’s pouring everything into Chief of War, which he calls “my Braveheart, my Last of the Mohicans.”

Set during a time before Western colonization, the series tells the story of Ka‘iana, a historical Hawaiian figure played by Momoa, who strives to unite the islands. Early teasers have already generated buzz—starting, intriguingly, with Momoa’s character lassoing and riding a shark like a wild horse, a scene Momoa himself thinks is “awesome.”

“This has been my everything,” Momoa said in a recent interview. “When I was a little kid, I looked at all these Native American movies, I love samurai movies and all these cultures. This is it for us. This is our chance.”

Bigger Than Game of Thrones?

Inevitably, comparisons to Game of Thrones arise when looking at any sweeping historical epic with intense action and pounding scores—especially one starring Momoa. He revealed that someone “very, extremely important” from Game of Thrones came on board to consult and was left impressed, reportedly saying, “This is bigger than Game of Thrones could ever be. Fuck dragons, dude. This thing is insane.”

Chief of War is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, August 1, promising to deliver a cinematic and cultural spectacle that puts Hawaiian history front and center.

Balancing Passion and Blockbusters: Street Fighter Talks

Momoa’s career strategy seems to follow the classic “one for me, one for thee” approach: alternating between blockbuster projects and passion projects. While Chief of War clearly fits into the latter, Deadline reports that Momoa is also in talks to join a new live-action Street Fighter movie—a franchise known for its fast-paced fighting action and colorful characters.

Though Street Fighter is light on story compared to Chief of War, Momoa’s casting could bring a fresh presence to the film. Fans have speculated about which character he might portray—could he be the agile and dangerous Vega? Or perhaps the wild, beastly Blanka? With other notable names like pro wrestler Roman Reigns and actors Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji also linked to the project, the new Street Fighter film is shaping up to be a high-profile ensemble.

Looking Ahead

Jason Momoa is clearly navigating his career with an eye toward both artistic fulfillment and commercial success. His dedication to telling culturally rich stories like Chief of War shows a deep connection to heritage and storytelling, while his involvement in franchises like The Minecraft Movie and potentially Street Fighter keeps him firmly in Hollywood’s mainstream.

As August approaches, all eyes will be on Chief of War—an epic saga that might just redefine how indigenous stories are told on screen, powered by one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men.