Jason Momoa has revealed he paid tribute to his son in Dune through Kali, the national martial art of the Philippines.
The Hawaii-born actor stars as Duncan Idaho, the swordmaster of House Atreides, in the blockbuster film. As part of his role, he mentors Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) in martial arts, the training for which, he says, was inspired by Kali.
“We did a bunch of stuff like Kali,” he told IndieWire. “I never really learned that. My son does that. There’s definitely these intimate moments where I’m signalling to my son. That’s a Kali move, where you put your hand on your heart and put it on your head. That’s to Timothee in the movie, but that’s to my son in real life.”
Momoa is dad to son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, 12, and daughter Lola Iolani Momoa, 14, who he shares with American actress Lisa Bonet.
Dune, which is based on the 1965 science-fiction novel by Frank Herbert, was partially shot in the UAE and Jordan.
Chalamet described shooting in Wadi Rum as surreal, in a conversation with Variety.
"It was really surreal," the Call Me by Your Name actor said of shooting a scene at dawn in the south of Jordan. "There are these Goliath landscapes, which you may imagine existing on planets in our universe, but not on Earth."
Wadi Rum, a spectacular red-rock desert pockmarked by granite and sandstone canyons, has also featured in Hollywood hits The Martian, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Aladdin.
See the stars of 'Dune' at the London premiere:
-
Jason Momoa, Timothee Chalamet, and Zendaya pose for photographers on arrival at the premiere of 'Dune' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London. AP -
Timothee Chalamet interacts with fans. AP -
Zendaya and Chalamet have some fun on the red carpet. EPA -
Zendaya plays Chani, the love interest of Chalamet's Paul Atreides in 'Dune'. EPA -
The rain-soaked premiere had many of the sci-fi epic film's stars in attendance. EPA -
Zendaya stunned in an asymmetrical Rick Owens white column gown. Getty Images -
Dune director Denis Villeneuve and his wife, executive producer Tanya Lapointe. EPA -
The 'Dune' cast ahead of the screening at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Getty Images -
Timothee Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the heir of House Atreides, in 'Dune'. Getty Images -
Zendaya's character Chani belongs to the Fremen, a tribe who inhabit the dangerous planet of Arrakis. Getty Images -
Chalamet arriving at the 'Dune' premiere. EPA -
Jason Momoa chose a velvet jacket paired with a black brocade waistcoat for the evening. EPA -
Chalamet wore an Alexander McQueen suit embellished with silver zipper details. EPA -
Golda Rosheuvel, best known for her role as Queen Charlotte in Netflix's 'Bridgerton', also stars in 'Dune'. EPA -
Rebecca Ferguson chose a voluminous black Carolina Herrera gown. EPA -
British actress Sharon Duncan-Brewster plays Dr Liet Kynes, an imperial ecologist. EPA -
Benjamin Clementine also stars in the film. Getty Images -
Babs Olusanmokun also plays a member of the Freman tribe. Getty Images -
Rebecca Ferguson, Timothee Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve on stage at the premiere. AP -
Jason Momoa signing autographs for fans. Getty Images
