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MOMOA CASTING FOR ISLE FILM

Jason Momoa, the Nanakuli native who’s become a Hollywood superstar, will take on the leading role, co-write the screenplay, and serve as an executive producer, of a historical project that will probe the unification and colonization of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

“Chief of War,” earlier announced as an AppleTV+ film, will view island history from an indigenous point of view.
The project will film here this fall, so Momoa has scheduled two casting calls in July, with specific needs for adult men and women of Hawaiian and Polynesian descent, including Maori prospects. The search will include speaking roles, too.

The audition dates:

  • July 15, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Waianae Intermediate School Cafeteria.
  •  July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bishop Museum.
Jason Momoa

The film will focus during the turn of the 18th century, when there were four major kingdoms of Hawaii, engaged in wars. The story is historically true, about Kai‘ana, a war chieftain, who travels the world outside of Hawaii and discovers his island home is being invaded and anticipates that the kingdoms would not be able to survive the power of foreign interests. Thus, Kai‘ana returns home to find a bloody campaign and joins the fight for unity.

Momoa will star as Kai‘ana, who also was known as the Prince of Kauai. Momoa is co-writing the script with collaborators Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett and Doug Jung.  He has been particularly passionate about “Chief of War,” because he was born in Nanakuli and is part Hawaiian, making him a certified keiki o ka ‘aina.

Applicants must be residents of Hawaii, 18 years or older, and experienced actors as well as newcomers are invited. Other audition details are posted here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbb37YGO0ff/

Hugh Jackman

“Chief of War” will be streamed on AppleTV+, where Momoa had his foot in the Apple door as a star for two seasons as Baba Voss, in the just concluded action-drama, “See.”…

Broadway grosses, week ending June 26

With Hugh Jackman returning to the cast of  “The Music Man,” the Meredith Wilson musical, after a post-Tony bought with COVID 19, the show has an attendance bounce, topping a $3.2 million gross once again, besting “Hamilton” and its $2.2 million take last week. “The Lion King” was third, with $2.1 million.

The outlook:

And that’s Show Biz. …

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NBC SIGNS ‘MAGNUM’ FOR 2 SEASONS

CBS’ “Magnum P.I.,” which filmed four seasons in Hawaii but was canceled by the network in May, has found a new home at NBC, and has been assured of at least two more seasons, with options for more.

The life-saving story, revealed a day ago — and 49 days after CBS canceled the sleuth-in-a-red Ferrari show —  includes a renewal program over two years but with a vastly reduced 20-episode deal, or 10 per season, half of the customary 20-plus single year timetable .

And because the lateness of the decision by NBC, production cannot begin till this fall, and a programming slot won’t be known till 2023.

A tangle of discussions apparently were held to rescue the popular show, featuring Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, and his colleague Julia Higgins, portrayed by Perdita Weeks. “Magnum” has maintained a respectable ratings record in its primetime Friday slot, preceding CBS’ “‘Blue Bloods,” ironically starring Tom Selleck, the original “Magnum” back in the day. The reboot’s numbers — 7.338 million viewers per episode, according to Nielsen – means it ranked 30th out of 151 Big 4 broadcast programs over the recently-wrapped September-to-May season. “Magnum” also was tied for 56th in the desired adults 18-49 demo (a 0.7 rating), aligned with shows like “Shark Tank,” “The Resident,” and “Law & Order.”

Perdita Weeks as Higgins, Jay Hernandez as Magnum: Two-year-renewal on NBC.

When keep-it or kill-it season neared, the apparent key issue of friction was the licensing fee – “the biggest sticking point,” as expressed by IndieWire. The rights to the show were owned by NBCUniversal’s Universal Television. Earlier talks about the fate of “Magnum” mentioned that NBC and its streaming wing, Peacock, would be the ultimate destination..

Amy Hill

Hernandez might have had some inside knowledge that a pick-up was coming, later than sooner, so he signed on to filming this summer of an indie film, “The Long Game.” He’ll still be able to complete that mission.

Amy Hill, who plays Teuila Tuileta, aka Kumu, on “Magnum,” is said to have two film projects this summer, that also will be completed before the fall shooting of the show agenda under new call letters. Presumably, cast members can sign on to projects when filming is not under way.

Clearly, when the filming begins, NBC can begin its storytelling at the point of the CBS ending, when Magnum and Higgins kissed and cooed and made certain an element of romance would be part of their relationship in the future. But the axe fell, when CBS didn’t renew, so NBC can now strut its peacock feathers when the new era of “Magnum” begins. …

‘All Rise’ moves to OWN

Another CBS series, “All Rise,” was not renewed by CBS after two seasons, but it found a new home at the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Ruthie Ann Miles

Season three, thus is under way, with Simone Missick, back in court as Judge Lola Carmichael, who also serves as an exec producer of the show. Of particular interest to Islanders, however, is that a co-star on the show, played by Tony-winning actress from Kaimuki High School, Ruthie Ann Miles, who continues as Lola’s assistant Sherri Kansky. She has been a Broadway musical theater star, earning a Tony for her featured supporting role in “The King and I,” but also is known for portraying Imelda Marcus in an off-Broadway musical, “Here Lies Love,” which earned her the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical f

And that’s Show Biz. …

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JAY HERNANDEZ WILL DO A MOVIE

Since his “Magnum P.I.” contract ends June 30, series star Jay Hernandez isn’t sitting around waiting for a call for a fifth season.

That was so yesterday. So, he’s going to the movies – the big screen – instead. No more waiting game.

According to Deadline, Hernandez is committed to do a film called “The Long Game,” with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Dennis Quaid and Julian Works, based on Humberto G. Garcia’s book, “Mustang Miracle.”

No specific word on who he’ll play, but the film is based on a true tale based in Texas of the mid-50s. The story focuses on five Mexican-American caddies at a ritzy golf club where the discriminatory rules of that era forbade them from playing golf, according to Deadline. Because these caddies loved golfing, they created their own course (albeit, simple one) in the Texas desert with the kokua of a Latino coach, and were skilled enough to beat the wealthy all-white team players in a 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship, thus overcoming the racist, discriminatory practices of the elite golf course, elevating the pride and power of being Latino.

With filming beginning this month – not sure if it’ll be Texas – this simply means that Thomas Magnum won’t be available if and when CBS, NBC or a cable streaming network announces, very belatedly, the possibility of a fifth season.

Jay Hernadez

OK, “The Long Game” does not have the reputation and respect of a certified weekly police drama set in our Hawaiian turf, but Hernandez is doing the right thing. Eliminate waiting. Find a job. Go for it. Create your own destiny.

Main thing: Forget the awkward and surprising termination of a bona fide hit show for CBS.

The new film, whatever its outcome, should be a redemption for Hernandez, who has helped steer the TV reboot into a reputable and respected project. Each week, there was a bona fide sense of ohana – family – in the episodes, and Hernandez’s wink-eye, have-fun approach, made “Magnum” an easy watch to applaud.

Remember? The season four finale, with Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) committing to each other romantically, begged for a follow-up, which would have logically been the fifth season. But the crude ending, without the follow-up, was a CBS blunder of major proportions. No aloha spirit…

One out, one in

The Actors Group (TAG) has adjusted its 2022-23 season, replacing “Soldier’s Play” with “The Poet and His Song,” in the Jan.20 to Feb. 12, 2023 playdates at the Brad Powell Theatre in Iwilei.

The substitute celebrates the poems of Paul Larence Dunbar, directed by Derrick Brown and Brad Powell.

Told by a cast of costumed actors, the play examines the triumphs and tragedies of the black life experience, in pre- and post-Emancipation America, in the eyes of the poet artists.

The production is written in both the black dialect of the times as well as standard English. It’s the kind of art TAG is savvy in staging in its intimate performing space..

Details: www.tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 722-6941. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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DANIEL DAE KIM TURNING TO COMICS

Daniel Dae Kim, formerly of two island-shot TV series — “Lost” on ABC, “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS – is turning to the comics for his next production.

His newest step, with an Asian American character from comic books, could bolster the image of Asian-Americans, diversifying characters and promoting positive storylines in the process.

As The CW’s “Riverdale” is winding up this year, Kim will extend the Archie Comics franchise to produce “Jake Chang,” a new series via Kim’s 3AD.

According to Deadline, the “Chang” show, written by Oanh Ly and writer-director Viet Nguyen, will be preceded by the character in Archie’s life, who will make his comic book debut this July.

Daniel Dae Kim

The creators envision “Chang” to be in the spirit of “Riverdale,” with a “soapy, noir thriller set in the world of Archie Comics.”

“We are so proud and honored, to be a part of this new wave of Asian-American content created by and starring Asian-Americans,” Ly and Nguyen said in a joint statement.

 “The world of Jake Chang is vast, compelling, and a whole lot of fun. And just like our rascally teen detective, we’re going to lean into the ‘F U’ of the original ‘Fu Chang’ IP and delightfully destroy all familiar tropes and tell a unique Asian-American story.”

Archie Comics previously introduced a character named Fu Chang, an America- educated international private detective living in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1940s. Thus, Fu might be the historical inspiration for Jake, but set in modern times.

Kim’s path, from influential Asian character, has become a triumphant career, of boosting and creating multifaceted and stereotype-breaking roles, as a director and a producer with visibility and positivity that have reflected in number of films and TV shows.

He is best known for playing two recurring Asian roles on episodic TV: as Jin-Soo Kwan in “Lost” on ABC  and as Chin Ho Kelly on CBS.”

On “Avatar: the Last Airbender,” a TV production still underway,  his role is that of Fire Lord Ozai. On “New Amsterdam,” he has portrayed Dr. Cassian Shin; as Dr. Jackson Han, he was a doctor on “The Good Doctor.”

On stage, he starred as the King of Siam in “The King and I,” and he voiced the part of Benja on “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

The credits are varied and numerous. He truly has become an Everyman in film work, since he’s practically everywhere, sometimes seen, sometimes not. …

Message to exec producer Kim : Why not contemplate and create a Hawaii-filmed modernized series based on the legendary Charlie Chan, the 1920s murder-solving sleuth launched in Earl Derr Biggers’ novel, “The House Without a Key,” and cast an island Chinese actor in the process? Just thinking. …

Calendar notes

Rolando Sanchez

Rolando Sanchez shares his sizzling salsa songs and sounds, for listening and dancing  at 7:30 p.m. today (June 25) at Manoa Valley Theatre. Tickets are $30, at www.manovalleytheatre.com. Reserved seating policy prevails. …

Manhattan Transfer brings its nostalgic vibes to Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 30 to July 3. The group is best known for its “Tuxedo Junction” hit. Tickets: $65 and $45, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com. Seating is first-come, first-served, with dinner and beverages options. …

A TV special, “Inspire You and Me,” will air at 9:30 p.m. today (June 25) on K5. It features Roy and Kathy Sakuma, whose names intertwine with ukulele lessons and ukulele festivals, in a joint career that dates back 50 years and tappng thousands of uke-strumming students, young and old alike. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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THE POSTCARD NOTECARD, REINVENTED

With the creative juices going, I revisited my notecard-making project yesterday, and whipped out another series of postcard-notecards. Using sticker images acquired some time ago, I fashioned an old-fashioned “aloha” postcard, in notecard motif, depicting hula dancers, surfers, Aloha Tower, and pineapples for visuals. Sharing a few of the specimens here.