ActorJason Momoawill be stepping behind the camera for his next big film project. PerVariety, it has just been announced that theAquamanstar will team up with producer Peter Safran to develop a biopic about Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer who’s said to have popularized surfing as a sport. Momoa and Safran will be producing the feature alongside Susan Miller Carlson and Eric Carlson of Carlson Company while Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (Conviction) will write the screenplay.
Momoa previously narrated the PBS documentaryWaterman - Duke: Ambassador of Alohathat told the story of Kahanamoku. The late swimmer, who died in 1968, competed in four different Olympic Games, breaking records to become a five-time medalist in the process. His life after the Olympics stayed interesting as he spent three decades serving as a sheriff in Honolulu. Safran said that he has long been interested in turning Kahanamoku’s life story into a feature film.
As of now, the biopic is untitled and there are no actors in place, so it’s not yet clear who will playa Kahanamoku. What’s known is that the movie will “explore this iconic and gentle man as the legendary swimmer, trailblazer, and the undisputed father of modern day surfing,” according to producers.
“Duke’s story is one that has fascinated me for years,” Safran said. “To now have the opportunity to tell it with the respect that it deserves, in collaboration with Jason, Chris, and the Carlsons, is truly a gift.”
Eric Carlson also noted, “We are all proud to be working with Malama Pono to tell the incredible true story of Duke Kahanamoku, one of America’s most overlooked heroes.”
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Jason Momoa Has Plenty of Acting Roles in the Works
In addition to producing this biopic, Jason Momoa will also have several roles coming up for his fans to watch out for. He will revisit his role as the titular superhero in the upcoming sequelAquaman and the Lost Kingdomafter the first film found tremendous success at the box office. The actor can also be seen as the villain in the sequelFast X, marking his debut in theFast and Furiousmovie series. The upcoming Netflix movieSlumberlandwill also be starring Momoa in a significant role. He was recently cast in the upcoming action-comedy filmShots, Shots, Shotsas well. Meanwhile, the upcoming final season ofSeewill have Momoa putting an end to the series on Apple TV+. Thetrailer for the third and final seasonteases an epic battle for the end of the show.
