Jason Momoa couldn’t hold back tears while watching his 16-year-old son, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, make his acting debut alongside Zendaya in Dune: Part Three. The upcoming sci-fi epic is set to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026, and will see Nakoa-Wolf portraying Leto II Atreides, the son of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Zendaya’s Chani.
Jason Momoa Opens Up on SmartLess Podcast
Speaking on the SmartLess podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, Momoa recalled the emotional moment he saw his son on set:
“He just killed it. I’m just crying. I was a wreck. I was so proud of him,” the Aquaman star said, describing Nakoa-Wolf’s first scene opposite Zendaya.
Momoa revealed that the casting process unfolded quickly. After sending a self-tape audition to producer Cale Boyter, Nakoa-Wolf secured the role—even though he had little formal acting training.
From Hawaii to Budapest: A Whirlwind Schedule
While promoting his Apple TV+ series Chief of War, Momoa shared how the family navigated a packed schedule around the casting.
- July 18: Attended the Chief of War premiere in Hawaii.
- July 19: Flew out immediately after the event.
- July 20: Celebrated daughter Lola’s 18th birthday.
- July 22: Arrived in Budapest.
- July 23: Nakoa-Wolf began filming on set.
Momoa admitted he was nervous before his son’s first scene but was blown away by his performance.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Although Nakoa-Wolf has not undergone formal acting training, he has experience in martial arts and school plays. Momoa originally thought his son might simply visit the Dune set to learn about the industry. Instead, he landed a pivotal role in the franchise.
When asked how he felt about stepping into the spotlight, Nakoa-Wolf reportedly told his dad:
“It’s so hard, Papa. I have so much respect for you now.”
A Family Connection to Dune
Jason Momoa, who shares Nakoa-Wolf and Lola with ex-wife Lisa Bonet, starred as Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part One (2021). His character was a trusted ally of House Atreides before meeting a tragic end. While Duncan did not appear in Dune: Part Two (2024), Momoa is set to return in Part Three, adapted from Frank Herbert’s novel Dune: Messiah.
With his son now stepping into the saga, the Momoa family is leaving a lasting mark on the iconic franchise.
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