Jason Momoa skyrocketed to global stardom as Aquaman, becoming the only billion-dollar DC hero outside of Batman vs. Superman. But the actor reveals none of it would have happened without director Zack Snyder taking a chance after Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones.
Jason Momoa’s path to A-list stardom was far from certain. After early career setbacks, it took the keen eye of director Zack Snyder to recognize Momoa’s leading man capabilities and set him on the road to mega-blockbuster success. Their bond forged on 2011’s Conan the Barbarian, which led Snyder to bestow Momoa with his star-making billion-dollar role in Aquaman, transforming him into a box office powerhouse.
Zack Snyder’s Faith Secured Jason Momoa’s Star-Making Role
In a recent interview, Jason Momoa expressed immense gratitude to Zack Snyder for standing by him during the early stages of his career. According to Momoa, Snyder showed steadfast faith even as other executives wanted him axed from 2011’s Conan the Barbarian for looking “too pretty.”
Momoa credits Snyder’s conviction in his talent as instrumental in him landing Aquaman years later. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, he shared,
“That whole audition process was pretty crazy. Zack was a huge fan of Game of Thrones… he called me and wanted me to take Aquaman.” He further added, “So, thank you Game of Thrones. Now I’m Aquaman.”
After their positive experience on Conan, Snyder brought Momoa into the DC fold as Aquaman over initial studio skepticism. But the film’s mammoth $1 billion box office haul quickly silenced any doubts.
The Actor’s Breakout Success as Khal Drogo
Momoa’s rise to alpha hero status began with his breakout role on HBO’s Game of Thrones as Khal Drogo. As the formidable Dothraki warlord, Momoa displayed the raw physicality and wounded intensity that became his trademarks.
He once opened up about “being too broke to even fly home” in an interview with ET
Though only lasting one season, Momoa’s guest role left a lasting impression on Snyder. Combined with their bond during Conan, Khal Drogo convinced Snyder that Momoa had the goods to bring Aquaman to life.
Overcoming Early Typecasting Concerns
In the years after Game of Thrones, Momoa struggled to land major roles due to being typecast as the menacing bruiser. But Snyder looked past the grim-faced brute exteriors of Khal Drogo and Conan to recognize Momoa’s depth.
“I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones.” he added “I couldn’t get work. It’s very challenging when you have babies and you’re completely in debt.”
Momoa stated in an interview with Instyle. But where others saw limitations, Snyder spotted the untapped potential.
Momoa is effusive in crediting Snyder’s unflinching support for his billion-dollar Aquaman payoff.
I’m where I’m at because of Zack Snyder Momoa shared. He acknowledges Aquaman’s monster success would never have happened without Snyder’s initial leap of faith.
Now established as a bankable leading man, Momoa is set to reprise his aquatic superhero in an Aquaman sequel. Meanwhile, his grubby, grim-faced Khal Drogo remains instrumental in paving the way to mainstream stardom.
Thanks to Khaleesi’s beloved brute giving Snyder confidence in his years prior, Jason Momoa is now king of his own blockbuster franchise. His ascendance from early doubters to billion-dollar leading man is a testament to Snyder’s vision casting him as Aquaman. Now permanently etched in the Hollywood firmament, Momoa owes a great debt to the director who first saw his star potential. Though Khal Drogo met a grim end, the warlord’s legacy lives on through Aquaman’s unprecedented success.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is set to release on 20 December 2023.
Source: The Digital Fix
