Jason Momoa is giving off "Khal Drogo" vibes in Chief of War trailer; fans go crazy as Apple TV's upcoming historical drama gets official

The first official trailer for Chief of War has finally arrived. And it is already making waves. This is not just another action epic for Jason Momoa. It is something far more personal. A project born from his own heritage, something he has called the most meaningful work of his career.

The moment the trailer starts, it is impossible not to notice. There is that same commanding presence. The intense stare. The quiet but undeniable power. All of it instantly brings back memories of Khal Drogo. But this time, there is more at stake. Instead of a fantasy warlord, Momoa steps into the role of Kaiana, a real figure from Hawaiian history. A warrior whose story deserves the spotlight.

Chief of War is not just a drama. It is a story about resistance, power, and a culture fighting to survive. And for the first time, it is being told from the inside by the people who lived it.

Who is Kaiana, and why the Khal Drogo comparisons make sense

Jason Momoa has always been the kind of actor who fits effortlessly into warrior roles. That started when he became Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, a role that needed more presence than words. And he delivered.

Watching the Chief of War trailer, it is easy to see why fans are making the comparison. There is Momoa, bare-chested, wearing the traditional Hawaiian malo, leading warriors into battle. Spears in hand. Face carved with determination. It feels familiar. But it also feels heavier. More grounded.

Because this time, it is not fantasy. Kaiana was real. A man who lived through one of the most difficult chapters in Hawaiian history. And that changes everything.

Fans draw parallels between Kaiana and Khal Drogo

The moment the Chief of War trailer dropped, fans jumped into the comments to share their reactions. One thing stood out right away. Many could not help but draw comparisons between Kaiana and Khal Drogo, one of Jason Momoa’s most iconic roles. Below are some of the comments we captured from YouTube.

What Chief of War is really about

At its core, Chief of War tells the story of how the Hawaiian Islands came together under one kingdom at the end of the eighteenth century. It follows Kaiana, a chief and a warrior, as he navigates broken alliances, internal rivalries, and the growing presence of outsiders.

This was a moment when everything was shifting. The islands were fractured. The chiefs fought each other for control. And beyond those battles, something bigger loomed. European ships are bringing weapons. Diseases. And a new threat. One that was not about swords, but about control. About culture. About survival.

Momoa co-wrote the series with Thomas Paa Sibbett and Doug Jung. Together, they created something that blends sweeping battles with intimate moments of culture and family. A story about sovereignty. About identity. And the fight to protect both.

The history behind it all

Telling this story matters. Hawaii’s past has often been told through the wrong lens. Usually filtered by outsiders. Chief of War flips that. It brings the focus back to the people who lived it.

This was a time when the islands were divided. Each chief ruled his own land. Battles were common. Alliances were fragile. Then came the foreigners. British. Americans. Europeans. And with them, everything changed.

It followed a pattern that played out in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Colonial powers arrived. They watched. They learned the rivalries. And they used them. Offering weapons to some. Offering alliances to others. Divide and conquer. A playbook used everywhere. Hawaii was no exception.

That is where Chief of War steps in. It shows what happens when leaders like Kaiana have to choose. Do you fight the outsiders? Do you join them? Or do you try to hold onto your way of life, knowing the world around you changes faster than anyone can control?

Kaiana and Khal Drogo more than just warriors

Yes, there are surface-level similarities. Both are powerful. Both command respect. Both are warrior kings in their own worlds.

But there is more to it. Khal Drogo lived in a world of fiction. A character defined by strength and honor in a made-up universe. Kaiana is different. His story carries real weight. It is about identity. About survival. About what happens when your homeland stands on the edge of something irreversible.

The challenge of speaking olelo Hawaii

One thing that stands out about Chief of War is the choice to use the Hawaiian language throughout much of the series. Momoa has been open about how difficult that was. In fact, he said it was harder than learning Dothraki for Game of Thrones.

The reason is simple. Hawaiian is not just a language. It is history. It is memory. It is a connection to every person who came before. Every word carries more than meaning. It carries a responsibility.

Making the choice to film so much of the story in olelo Hawaii was not about adding flavor. It was about respect. About making sure this story was told the right way. In the right voice.

For Jason Momoa, this is personal

This is not just a job for Momoa. This is his story, too. He is not only the lead actor. He is also the co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer.

Fans who have followed his career know this is not new. He has always worn his heritage proudly. Whether performing traditional dances on red carpets or wearing the malo during interviews, this is not for show. It is who he is.

In every interview, Momoa has been clear. Chief of War is the most important project of his life. This is how he gives back. This is how he honors the generations that came before.

What to expect from the production and the cast

The production itself is as massive as the story it tells. Filmed across Hawaii and New Zealand, it captures everything from dense rainforests to volcanic landscapes. The result looks as cinematic as anything on a big screen.

The cast features a lineup of mostly Polynesian actors. Alongside Momoa are Temuera Morrison, known from Aquaman and The Book of Boba Fett, Luciane Buchanan from The Night Agent, Cliff Curtis from Avatar: The Way of Water, and Kaina Makua, a local Hawaiian actor making his debut in a major production.

The series is directed by Justin Chon, whose past work in Blue Bayou and Pachinko showed his skill in telling stories rooted in identity and culture.

Release date and schedule

Chief of War premieres on Apple TV+ on August 1, 2025. The first two episodes will drop on the launch day. After that, new episodes will release weekly, leading up to the finale on September 19th.

When epic fantasy meets real history

Chief of War feels something new. Something different. It blends the scale of epic fantasy with the truth of real history. This is not just another warrior story. It is a reminder of how cultures survive. How people resist. How history lives on through those who refuse to let it be erased.

Khal Drogo was a symbol of strength in fiction. Kaiana stands for something more. He represents the fight for identity. The fight to protect culture. The fight to remain.

This time, Jason Momoa is not just playing a warrior. He is carrying the weight of his own history. And he is making sure the world hears it.