Chief of War (2025): Jason Momoa’s Fierce Hawaiian Epic Hits Apple TV+

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Jason Momoa steps into one of his most personal roles yet in Chief of War, a sweeping historical drama premiering August 1, 2025, exclusively on Apple TV+. Co-created with longtime collaborator Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, this nine-episode miniseries marks a bold departure from Momoa’s blockbuster persona, diving deep into the untold story of Hawaii’s unification through the eyes of its indigenous people.

Set in the late 18th century, Chief of War follows Kaʻiana (Momoa), a Native Hawaiian warrior and noble who returns home after traveling abroad. Faced with the looming threat of Western colonization and internal strife among Hawaii’s four major kingdoms, Kaʻiana joins a bloody campaign to unite the islands. But as the series unfolds, his journey becomes one of moral reckoning, culminating in a dramatic rebellion against the very forces he once supported.

**Chief of War (2025): Jason Momoa’s Fierce Hawaiian Epic Hits Apple TV+**

The cast is a celebration of Polynesian talent, featuring Temuera Morrison as Chief Kahekili, Luciane Buchanan as Kaʻahumanu, and newcomer Kaina Makua portraying the legendary Kamehameha I. Their performances bring emotional weight and cultural authenticity to a story that’s rarely been told on screen.

Behind the camera, Chief of War boasts a powerhouse creative team. Justin Chon directs the first two episodes, setting a visceral tone that blends intimate character drama with epic battle sequences. Momoa himself directs the finale, adding a personal stamp to the series’ emotional climax. The score, composed by Hans Zimmer and James Everingham, infuses each episode with haunting beauty and cinematic grandeur, elevating the storytelling to mythic proportions.

Filmed across New Zealand and Hawaii, the series captures the islands’ natural splendor while recreating the brutal realities of war and colonization. From sun-drenched beaches to lava-scorched battlefields, Chief of War is both a visual feast and a historical reckoning.

Chief of War follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘I in the late 18th century. Told from an indigenous perspective, Chief of War is a passion project for creators Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, who both share native Hawaiian heritage. The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa alongside Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka,Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.

Chief of War is produced for Apple TV+ by FIFTH SEASON and Chernin Entertainment. Momoa directs the season finale and serves as executive producer. Doug Jung serves as showrunner and executive produces along with Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Mendoza. Justin Chon directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer. Anders Engstrom, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also serve as executive producers. Grammy and Academy Award winning composer, Hans Zimmer wrote the theme music and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with composer, James Everingham, during his tenure with Bleeding Fingers Music, the multiple Emmy Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated composer collective co-founded by Zimmer in 2013.

The first two episodes premiere August 1, with new episodes dropping every Friday until the finale on September 19. For fans of Braveheart, The Last of the Mohicans, or See, this is a must-watch event that blends action, heritage, and heart.