Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Jason Momoa on Building His Own Projects and Never Sitting Still

Air Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Willie Geist
Guest: Jason Momoa

Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Willie Geist sits down with Jason Momoa to discuss his new movie The Wrecking Crew, his deep Hawaiian roots, career-defining moments, and his passion for environmentalism and creative self-determination. Momoa’s larger-than-life personality shines through as he shares behind-the-scenes stories, his journey from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom, and his relentless drive to keep moving, creating, and championing causes close to his heart.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Wrecking Crew: Action, Comedy, and Heart

• Movie Overview:
  The Wrecking Crew stars Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged brothers avenging their father's murder in Hawaii. The film is packed with inventive action scenes, wild humor, and a deep emotional undercurrent about family and Hawaii’s complexities.
• Creating Action:
  Momoa travels with a loyal stunt team (“very much like family”), often engaging in friendly one-upmanship across projects to keep things fresh and outrageous.

  “You’re doing those kinds of intensity at that level, you want people really protecting you. So it’s very much like family. And we would all, you know, throw down for each other.” (Momoa, 04:40)

• Comedic Freedom:
  Momoa relishes the chance to do comedy, embracing improvisation and even drawing inspiration for his character from his own son.

  “I kind of just like, played my son. There’s these little things about my son that I love... I put in a couple things.” (Momoa, 10:11)

• On Working with Dave Bautista:
  The duo’s dynamic is described as “no ego, just a teddy bear and I’m obviously loud, obnoxious,” making for both hilarious chemistry and solid teamwork.

  “He’s got no ego. He’s just a teddy bear, super quiet, keeps to himself. And I’m obviously loud, obnoxious, and... we blend really well.” (Momoa, 07:13)

• Notable Sequence:
  The infamous “cheese grater moment” and helicopter fight are highlighted as examples of the film’s creative, offbeat violence.

  “Just came out of nowhere. He was so drunk, he’s like, helicopter distraction. Throws it and he just like hits the wall. He’s like, damn it. He’s such a loser.” (Momoa, 05:53)

2. Championing Hawaiian Stories and Culture

• Chief of War:
  Momoa shares the epic undertaking of creating, writing, and starring in Chief of War (Apple TV+), a historical series focused on Hawaiian history, which he views as a passion project for cultural representation.

  “When you’re growing up... I’d watch those Native American movies or those history movies and go like, I would love to see our people up there. And one day maybe I can do that.” (Momoa, 16:24)

• Challenges of Representation:
  Discusses the bittersweet nature of Chief of War being a limited series, and the challenges of introducing Hawaiian language and culture to a mainstream audience.

  “Hawaii was pretty proud, but it’s not gonna be enough to make another.” (Momoa, 17:38)

3. Personal Roots: Hawaii, Iowa, and Finding Belonging

• Childhood Split:
  Born in Hawaii, raised in Iowa by his mother, Momoa speaks candidly about the challenge of feeling like an outsider in both places, and how this shaped his restless, creative nature.

  “Basically... I never sit still longer than four or five days... That’s who I am. I just constantly move.” (Momoa, 22:44)

• Influence of Family:
  His Midwest upbringing, single mother, and extended Hawaiian family (surfers, watermen) all inform his identity and later work.

  “I idolize my father... then I have this amazing, like, hunting loving... rooted Midwest... my mother’s an artist...” (Momoa, 20:09)

• Feeling Between Worlds:

  “I was a single mother who worked four jobs, and it was hard, man... when I was there [Hawaii], I’m haole there, you know, because I wasn’t raised there.” (Momoa, 21:51)

4. Building His Own Path in Hollywood

• Unconventional Entry:
  Momoa’s break into acting came via Baywatch: Hawaii, using a fabricated résumé (“Hawaii’s model of the year”).

  “We just bull our way through it. And it worked. I just have no fear... I just didn't give a [expletive].” (Momoa, 29:36)

• Persistence in a Tough Industry:
  After Baywatch and before Game of Thrones, Momoa struggled for years, even living in an Airstream while fighting for creative freedom.

  “I just dreaded my hair. And I was like... Not that. I mean, I grew up. A lot of people just didn't understand where to put me.” (Momoa, 24:01)

• Taking Control and Creating Roles:
  Formed his own production company “Pride of Gypsies” to make space for himself and his friends in the industry:

  “We just formed an alliance and they're still with me to this day... We do everything together.” (Momoa, 32:28)

5. Breakout Roles and Global Fame

• Game of Thrones:
  Khal Drogo was a turning point, but also a challenge:

  “Then no one knew I spoke English... They really didn't like me until the fourth season...” (Momoa, 25:46)

• Aquaman:
  Catapulted him to worldwide fame, and with it, new challenges regarding privacy and public life.

  “I mean, it did amazing things for my career... So, you know, no one needs to know about the bruises and dents and fights, but it did wonderful for my career.” (Momoa, 33:18) “I try to be in a good mood... generally, if I'm with my kids or my lady... I'm not gonna break concentration for you.” (Momoa, 33:40)

6. What’s Next: Projects and Dreams

• Upcoming Work:
  Mixed slate of high-profile new projects—Wrecking Crew, On the Roam season 2, Animal Friends (with Ryan Reynolds), Supergirl (as Lobo), Dune 3, Street Fighter (as Blanca), and more Minecraft movies.

  “Literally this is the year of like childhood dreams... Street Fighter, I get to play Blanca... I have the arcade in my garage, dude.” (Momoa, 35:33)

• Always on the Move:
  Even downtime is filled with travel, adventure, and new projects.

  “You don't go home and sit in a hammock. You're always moving.”
  “No, I did. I just got a hammock from Guatemala and I just sat. It was heaven.” (Momoa, 36:52)

7. Environmental Activism and Entrepreneurship

• Reducing Plastic Waste:
  Deeply committed to environmental causes, Momoa founded a company (Mananalu) producing reusable water containers, pushing for circular systems in hospitality.

  “I wanted to save the planet, I want to save the earth... I felt like I could chip away at single use plastic... I made that can that screws on and off.” (Momoa, 37:25, 37:53) “If I can make that blueprint very quickly... then we can branch off and be able to take it to different places, but just show how we can turn the, like, turn those boats back. Like, we don't need your plastic water bottles.” (Momoa, 39:24)

• Using His Platform:
  Bridging celebrity with activism, Momoa stresses the urgency of ocean conservation—both with the UN and policy makers.

  “Just the passion is the ocean and I love it... if I can just shine a light on that, great.” (Momoa, 41:41)

8. A Mind in Motion: Music, Vodka, and More

• Diversifying Passions:
  Shares excitement over new forays into music (DJing, playing with friends), and his award-winning vodka line.

  “Started playing music... started DJing... started this vodka company... we won every award you could win... affordable luxury.” (Momoa, 42:19, 43:05)

• On His Restless Creativity:

  “I never sit still longer than four or five days... I just constantly move.” (Momoa, 22:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Action Sequences:
  “I think that's pretty funny when you're in the bathroom and you go into the kitchen and there's like the cheese grater…” (Momoa, 05:16)
• On His Dynamic with Dave Bautista:
  “We're kind of opposite, but like, really blend really well and very supportive.” (Momoa, 07:18)
• On Identity and Belonging:
  “Even though you’re Hawaiian and very much, you know, 50% Hawaiian, you still not—you weren't raised with us. And then you go back here, and there wasn't one race that I grew up with.” (Momoa, 21:59)
• On Surviving Baywatch:
  “Might as well be the star... Still to this day, that was the hardest job I've ever had. That shit was hard.” (Momoa, 30:47)
• On Taking Creative Control:
  “I'm gonna direct, I'm gonna write, I'm gonna create my own line... Just laying into this guy...” (Momoa, 24:07)
• On Hollywood Success:
  “I don't get to see [my kids]... I'm not gonna break concentration for you. And just like, sorry, I'm with my family... Aside from that if I'm by myself. Yeah, let's do this.” (Momoa, 33:40)
• On Environmentalism:
  “This is, you know, once everyone was doing it, but it's owned by... it's the red, red guy and the blue guy... At least we can counter shift with that going like, hey, now we're eliminating waste.” (Momoa, 40:36)
• On Restlessness:
  “I have—that’s who I am. I just constantly move. I think rock climbing, really.” (Momoa, 22:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:31: Start of conversation; The Wrecking Crew action sequences
• 06:42: How the movie came to be, Momoa and Bautista's collaboration
• 09:39: Momoa’s love for comedy and improv in the film
• 11:52: Rain fight scene with Bautista—brotherhood and stunt injuries
• 15:01: The film as a commentary on exploitation of Hawaii
• 16:03: Deep dive into Chief of War; ambitions to tell Hawaiian stories
• 19:50: Momoa’s childhood—between Hawaii and Iowa
• 23:44: Artistic ambitions, drifting years, forming his creative tribe
• 25:46: Breaking through with Game of Thrones
• 29:09: Landing Baywatch: Hawaii, the “Model of the Year” story
• 32:28: Assembling his own filmmaking team, Pride of Gypsies
• 33:03: The impact of Aquaman
• 34:21: How fame changed his everyday life
• 34:32: Upcoming films and projects (Sandberg, Supergirl, Dune, etc.)
• 37:25: Environmental activism with Mananalu, sustainable water bottles
• 41:17: Work with UN and further ambitions for Hawaii and the planet
• 42:19: New musical and entrepreneurial ventures

Conclusion

Jason Momoa’s conversation with Willie Geist is an energetic, multifaceted journey through action-packed movies, cultural advocacy, personal struggles, and a relentless pursuit of creativity in every field he touches. He remains grounded in his roots, passionate about the environment, and committed to telling stories that matter—both on and off the screen.