LIHU‘E — A project spearheaded by actor Jason Momoa is filming on Kaua‘i this fall — and they need local talent.
Alessi Hartigan Casting posted an open call this week for people of all ages to portray roles of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent in a project under the name “Yenedakine.”
The call is presumably referring to Momoa’s “Chief of War,” an eight-episode limited series announced by AppleTV+ this April.
Casting Director Sandi Alessi described a day on set for background actors as “a very fun magical experience,” with “period costumes, incredible script and scenes.”
“I’m so looking forward to coming,” said Alessi. “I was there 11 years ago — at the same open call location — to cast ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.’”
According to initial reports from AppleTV+ “Chief of War,” will be a historical series based around the unification and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands in the 1800s.
“No one’s told our story,” said Momoa in an April interview with The Associated Press on the project. “Have you seen a Hawaiian story come out? Not really.”
Momoa was born in Honolulu and is of Native Hawaiian descent. After moving to Iowa at age 6, he returned to Hawai‘i for college at the University of Hawai‘i, where he began his career in “Baywatch — Hawai‘i.”
Momoa will write for the series and serve as a co-creator, along with Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, who wrote the 2018 film “Braven,” and Francis Lawrence, who directed the “Hunger Games” films.
“This is the pinnacle for me,” said Momoa. “It’s my ‘Dances with Wolves,’ it’s my ‘Braveheart,’ it’s my ‘Last of the Mohicans.’”
Momoa has starred as Khal Drogo in the first season of “Game of Thrones,” and plays the title character in the “Aquaman” franchise. More recently, he appeared as Duncan Idaho in last year’s “Dune.”
This is the second AppleTV+ show for Momoa, who currently heads “See” on the streaming service.
Alessi did not provide any information on where and when filming on Kaua‘i will occur, though the casting call mentions that the filming will take place sometime this autumn. Similar casting calls have been released on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu.
Alessi advised those interested to come to the call where they can learn more about the project.
The casting call will take place Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall at 4191 Hardy St., Lihu‘e.
