Chief of War: Why Jason Momoa’s New Series is the Project He Was Born to Make

Jason Momoa is finally doing it. After years of playing the fish-talking king of Atlantis and a silent-but-deadly bodyguard in Dune, he’s shifted his focus to a story that actually means something to him personally. Most people know him as the big guy with the trident, but his latest venture, Chief of War, is a massive departure from the CGI-heavy blockbusters that made him a household name. This isn't just another acting gig; it's a nine-episode historical epic on Apple TV+ where Momoa serves as the creator, writer, and star.

Honestly, it’s about time.

The series dives deep into the unification of the Hawaiian Islands during the late 18th century. But here is the kicker: it’s told entirely from an indigenous perspective. No "white savior" tropes. No filtered Hollywood history. It's raw, violent, and specifically focuses on the legendary warrior Ka’iana, played by Momoa himself. If you’ve been following his career, you know he’s been trying to get a project like this off the ground for over a decade. He basically willed this into existence.

What is Chief of War Actually About?

A lot of folks assume Jason Momoa’s new series is just Game of Thrones with outriggers. That’s a bit of a lazy comparison, even if the scale is just as big. The plot follows the legendary Ka’iana, a Hawaiian chief who travels to the outside world—even reaching China—only to return home and find his islands on the brink of a bloody civil war.

It covers the rise of King Kamehameha the Great.

Wait.

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Before you think this is a boring history lecture, remember that 18th-century Hawaii was basically a series of warring kingdoms. We're talking about massive fleet battles, tactical brilliance, and the introduction of Western gunpowder to a culture that had perfected hand-to-hand combat. Momoa’s Ka’iana is the focal point, a man caught between the traditions of his people and the inevitable arrival of European "explorers."

The Real History Behind the Drama

If you look at the records, Ka’iana was a real guy. He was a high-ranking chief from Kauai who became the first Hawaiian to travel abroad. This gave him a perspective no one else on the islands had. He saw the power of foreign weaponry and knew that the status quo couldn't last. The series doesn't shy away from the fact that this unification wasn't exactly peaceful. It was a brutal consolidation of power, and Ka’iana's relationship with Kamehameha is fraught with tension.

Momoa co-created the show with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, who he worked with on the 2018 film Braven. They brought in Doug Jung as the showrunner. If you’ve seen Pachinko, you’ll recognize the directorial style of Justin Chon, who helmed the first two episodes. The visual language here is stunning—lots of natural light, sweeping landscapes of O'ahu, and a level of detail in the costumes that feels almost documentary-like.

Why This Series Breaks the "Momoa Mold"

Look, we all love Aquaman. But playing a superhero can be a bit... one-dimensional. In Chief of War, we’re seeing a version of Momoa that is much more grounded. There are no magical powers here. Just a man trying to protect his culture while the world as he knows it starts to dissolve.

• Authentic Casting: The production made a massive effort to cast indigenous actors. You’ve got Luciane Buchanan (who was great in The Night Agent) and the legendary Temuera Morrison.
• The Language: There is a significant use of the Hawaiian language throughout the script. It’s not just for flavor; it’s central to the identity of the show.
• The Music: Hans Zimmer actually wrote the theme. It’s haunting. It doesn’t sound like a typical Zimmer score; it’s more organic, using traditional Polynesian sounds mixed with that heavy cinematic weight he’s known for.

The show premiered in late 2025 and is still the talk of the town in early 2026 because of how it handled the ending. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say it doesn't give you the clean, happy resolution you might expect from a standard TV drama. It’s complicated. History is messy, and Momoa seems to embrace that.

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Misconceptions People Have About the Show

There’s a lot of noise online, so let's clear a few things up. First off, this isn't a documentary. While it is based on true events, there’s plenty of dramatization. Some historians have pointed out that the timeline of Ka’iana’s travels is slightly shifted for narrative flow. That’s standard for TV, though.

Another big one? People think Momoa is just the "face" of the project. That couldn't be further from the truth. He wrote several of the episodes and was reportedly on set every single day, even when he wasn't filming. He even directed the season finale, which is reportedly one of the most ambitious episodes of television ever produced.

What’s Next for Jason Momoa in 2026?

While Chief of War is his most personal project, the guy is still a workaholic. If you finish the series and need more Momoa, 2026 is actually a massive year for him.

He’s starring in The Wrecking Crew with Dave Bautista, which is basically an 80s-style buddy cop movie set in Hawaii. It’s the total opposite of the serious tone in his Apple series. Then there's the Animal Friends movie where he voices a bear—yes, a bear—alongside Ryan Reynolds. And of course, the big one: he’s officially joining the new DC Universe as Lobo in the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film.

It’s a weird mix.

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One day he’s a serious indigenous warrior, the next he’s a foul-mouthed space mercenary. But that’s the Momoa brand. He does the big "paycheck" movies so he can afford to make the deep, cultural projects like Chief of War.

How to Get the Most Out of the Series

If you’re planning to binge this, do yourself a favor and don't just have it on in the background. The politics of the different island factions—Hawaii, Maui, Kauai—get pretty dense.

1. Watch the subtitles: Even if you think you’re catching the gist, the nuances in the translated dialogue are where the real world-building happens.
2. Look up Ka’iana: Reading a quick Wikipedia entry on the real historical figure will make some of the "foreshadowing" in the early episodes hit a lot harder.
3. Check out "On the Roam": If you want to see the behind-the-scenes passion Momoa has for craftsmanship and history, his docuseries On the Roam (on Max) is like a companion piece to this show.

The shift toward indigenous storytelling in mainstream media has been a long time coming. Shows like Reservation Dogs paved the way, but Chief of War is the first time we’ve seen this level of budget applied to Hawaiian history. It’s a landmark moment for representation, but more importantly, it’s just a damn good story.

To really appreciate what Momoa has built here, start by watching the first two episodes back-to-back. The pacing is deliberate, so give it time to breathe. By the time the third episode hits, the political maneuvering starts to feel like a high-stakes chess match with clubs and muskets. It’s easily the most significant thing he’s ever done.