According to Yahoo! Entertainment, Aquaman star Jason Momoa has reunited with Suicide Squad and Peacemaker producer Peter Safran to film a biopic on the renowned Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Producers claim they want to “examine this famous and compassionate guy as the famed swimmer, pioneer, and the unquestioned father of modern-day surfing” in the film. A native of Hawaii, Kahanamoku swam for the United States in four Olympic Games between 1912 and 1932. He eventually won five Olympic medals for his efforts.
After hanging up his spikes, the former athlete established gas stations around Hawaii before spending 30 years as sheriff of Honolulu. Many people recognise Kahanamoku not just as a pioneer in the sport of swimming, but also as the guy who made surfing a mainstream activity. The swimming champion passed away in 1968, at the age of 77, due to a heart attack. Momoa, who is from Hawaii, has joined forces with Safran and brought on board Susan Miller Carlson and Eric Carlson of Carlson Company to produce the unnamed film. Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, who wrote Conviction, will write the script.
Whether or whether Momoa will appear in the biography is also a mystery, as are other specifics about the film, such as the cast and the director. During an interview with Variety, Safran addressed the biography he was working on briefly, stating, “For a long time, I’ve been captivated by Duke’s tale. Having the chance to tell it with Jason, Chris, and the Carlsons in mind is a blessing.” Shortly after the announcement, Eric Carlson added, “We are all pleased to be collaborating with Malama Pono to convey the great true tale of Duke Kahanamoku, one of America’s most unsung heroes.”
As a producer, Momoa is tied to this and other projects, and he also has a long list of performing credentials, including a return to the ocean in next year’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. We have no doubt that the biography will receive his full attention and dedication as he does with other endeavours. As of this writing, we have no additional details regarding the impending biopic.