Wait—what? This is real? I thought it was some deleted Aquaman side quest thing someone made up. But no. Chief of War is actually happening. And it's dropping August 1st on Apple TV+.
Okay, deep breath. Jason Momoa is back doing the “brutal warrior with a soul” thing again, this time as Kaʻiana, a Native Hawaiian chief trying to unite the islands before colonizers steamroll everything. Supposedly it's based on real history. Which… yeah, okay, but when the trailer kicks in with slow-motion sword fights and Hans Zimmer's thundering drums, it kinda starts feeling like Hawaiian Gladiator: Beach Edition.
August 1. That's the release. A Friday, weirdly. Like they know you'll forget by Monday.
Also—this cast? Cliff Curtis. Temuera Morrison. Te Ao o Hinepehinga. Newcomer Kaina Makua as freaking Kamehameha the Great. Which, okay, huge shoes. And I swear I saw Moses Goods in there just vibing like it's a community theatre production of Braveheart.
The trailer looks good? But also heavy. Like emotionally sweaty. Everything is war drums and slow stares and people yelling over oceans.
Hans Zimmer is involved, which is either amazing or terrifying depending on your mood. And the score is co-produced by James Everingham, so yes, the music will probably stomp directly on your chest.
I miss when you had to wait for things. Waiting made it feel bigger.
Anyway—Apple's calling this a “passion project,” which just means Momoa cried once during filming and now it's sacred.
I dunno. It looks powerful. Or exhausting. Or maybe both?
Maybe this is what prestige TV is now. Or maybe I just need to sit down and stop reacting to things that haven't even aired yet. Who knows.
