These photos are a few days old, but I just saw them and I made a promise to myself to run Jason Momoa photos whenever we get them (I made the same deal with myself whenever we get Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston photos too). Momoa was in Sundance promoting his new TV show (more on that in a moment), and he was wandering around Park City dressed as an old-timey saloon keeper. I can’t say that I like his clothes. I can’t say that I like his too-long beard or that hat. But I can say that I would still hit that. HARD. I would just make him take off those stupid clothes and maybe I would shave his face a bit.
As for Momoa’s new gig, it’s an original Sundance Channel scripted show called The Red Road. I’m so, so pleased that Momoa is returning to TV. I think he should spend more time doing TV work in general – I don’t begrudge him his attempts at movie stardom, but for some reason, his charisma really pops on television. The Red Road sounds like a decent show too:
Sundance Channel expands its roster of original scripted programming with The Red Road, a drama about two clashing communities, starring Martin Henderson and Jason Momoa. The series centers on Henderson’s weathered sheriff who struggles to keep his family together while policing two clashing communities: the folks in the small New York town in which he grew up and those in the neighboring Ramapo Mountains. Momoa co-stars as a member of the Native American tribe freshly released from prison who has ties to both worlds. The Red Road was created by Aaron Guzikowski (Prisioners) and executive produced by Bridget Carpenter (Friday Night Lights).
“It’s an interesting world people haven’t seen before,” Guzikowski told reporters Saturday at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. “This particular Indian tribe lives close to New York City, close to the modern world, and yet is still living off the land. It’s a small tribe that doesn’t have federal recognition. There are a lot of things that make them unique. That was a hugely attractive place to set this story.”
Game of Thrones and Conan the Barbarian alum Momoa, meanwhile, was instantly drawn to the project and was searching for a project in which he could demonstrate everything he could do as an actor.
“Fantasy and sci-fi is fun, and there are no limitations in those worlds. But when this came along, like Drogo, I knew this was for me,” he said. “There’s a lot in my personal life that I want to explore, and I wasn’t raised as this guy. … This is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done.”
The Hawaii-born actor who was raised in Iowa said it was “extremely important” to play a Native American and revealed he studied with the Ramapo to prepare for the role. “I don’t have a lot of stuff that demonstrates the things I do on the show. I auditioned and I wanted it. And when I want something, I’m going to get it,” he added with a laugh.
Yes, baby. You don’t have to tell me about your motivations or your process. Just stand there and it’s all good. While in Sundance doing press for the series, Momoa was also asked about those pesky rumors that he’s been cast in Batman vs. Superman. The rumor going around was that Momoa would be playing Doomsday or Aquaman, but he told MTV’s Josh Horowitz: “I get it all the time. It’s just a rumor. I swear. Man to man. You can punch me in the face [if I’m lying]. You’re allowed to punch me in the face. No, it’s a flattering rumor.” Considering Batman vs. Superman just got pushed back, it’s more than likely that the producers and screenwriters haven’t gotten their act together enough to be in a position to offer him any part.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
