Jason Momoa Rides a Shark in Apple’s ‘Chief of War’ Trailer

Only a true chief of war can ride a shark into battle.

That’s exactly what Jason Momoa does in the trailer for upcoming Apple TV+ series, Chief of War, which is being called a “historical drama” by the platform. You can take the man out of the aqua, but you can’t take the Aquaman out of the man.

Momoa (A Minecraft Movie) is not just the show’s star and his on-screen tribe’s chief — he also co-created, wrote on and executive produced the nine-episode series, and he directs the season finale. In other words, he’s come a long way from Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones.

Chief of War is based on true events, per Apple, and follows Hawaiian warrior Ka‘iana (Momoa), the man who must unify the islands ahead of Western colonization in the late 18th century. The series debuts its first two episodes on Apple TV+ on Friday, Aug. 1; a new episode will premiere each Friday through Sept. 19.

Momoa created Chief of War with Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett; they share native Hawaiian heritage. The series is told from an Indigenous perspective and features a predominantly Polynesian cast: Momoa is joined by Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.

Chief of War is produced by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment. Doug Jung is showrunner. Momoa, Sibbett and Jung executive produce along with Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, Brian Andrew Mendoza, Justin Chon (who also directs the first two episodes), Anders Engström, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten. The legendary Hans Zimmer wrote the theme music and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with composer James Everingham.

Momoa previously starred in three seasons of Apple TV+ series See, which was the platform’s first television series (it debuted alongside the streamer’s launch). See co-starred Alfre Woodard and was created by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.