Jason Momoa says he once drew a firm line about his son joining the film industry, but a set visit to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune helped change his mind and ultimately led to his son landing a role in the upcoming film.
Speaking on the SmartLess podcast, Momoa recalled his initial reluctance to see his teenage son, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, follow him into acting. “I’m like, ‘You’re never acting. There’s no way I’m let – I’m not letting you act,’” he said, describing his worries about his son becoming a child actor and entering what he called a tough business.
That stance began to shift at age 16 when Momoa considered bringing his son along to travel with him on the set of Dune. He hoped the experience would teach his son a strong work ethic, noting the long hours and demanding nature of action scenes. “It’s not digging ditches, but it’s f—ing hard,” he said, underscoring the discipline the industry requires.
A friend and producer, Cale Boyter, suggested that Momoa film a stunt reel with his son to test his abilities. The audition tape impressed the filmmakers so much that they invited him to test scenes in London alongside actors who could be part of the project. Momoa recalled feeling anxious as he watched his son tackle a difficult scene that would have challenged him as an adult—and the moment he realized his son had the chops to handle it on his own. “I’m doing Dune with my son right now,” he remembered thinking.
Although Momoa initially thought his son might secure a small part, Nakoa-Wolf ultimately earned a role connected to Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya as their character’s son. The timing was tight: after premiering the Apple TV+ series Chief of War, the family flew quickly from one coast to Europe. Momoa described the whirlwind travel—premiere on the 18th, a red-eye that night, a landing on the 19th, his daughter turning 18 on the 20th, another flight on the 21st, and landing in Budapest on the 22nd—culminating in his son starting work on the 23rd. Momoa recalled the nerves of that moment and the reward of seeing his son on set with Zendaya. “He’s with Zendaya… My baby, 16 years old,” he said, adding that his son delivered his first major scene with confidence. The proud moment brought tears and a renewed respect from son to father: “Pop, I have so much respect for you now.”
The experience, Momoa says, strengthened their bond and demonstrated how mentorship and opportunity can intersect to launch a new generation of actors within a landmark franchise.
What this suggests for fans is a look at how Hollywood families navigate the pressures and hopes of the industry—balancing caution with opportunity, and the powerful role of trust, mentorship, and hard work in building a lasting acting career.
Summary: Jason Momoa’s pivot from reluctance to pride shows how a father’s mentorship helped launch his son into a high-profile project, turning a reluctant “no” into a hopeful “yes” and a shared moment of achievement on a major film set. The story highlights the dedication required in big productions and the potential for family-approved talent to flourish in contemporary cinema.