"Aquaman" star Jason Momoa led a performance of the Haka, a ceremonial dance in Māori culture, on the red (or rather blue) carpet of the film's world premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on Wednesday night.
Momoa, holding Aquaman's signature trident, was joined by several others, including cast members, to perform the dance complete with stomping and loud chanting. Midway through the performance, the actor broke his prop trident over his knee.
The haka, which is commonly associated with traditions of battle preparations, has several variations often performed to welcome and honor distinguished guests during celebrations of events of great achievements or special events -- much like the Los Angeles premiere of the newest DC Extended Universe film.
While its roots come from Māori culture, the haka has extended its reach, becoming increasingly well-known globally thanks to various New Zealand sports teams, most notably the "All Blacks" national rugby union team, who perform the dance before games. However, many critics believe the dance is a form of cultural appropration of New Zealand's indigenous Polynesian people's customs.
Momoa, who is of Polynesian/Native Hawaiian descent, has performed the dance publicly several times, including alongside members of the Ackland Ultimate Fighting Championship team while training in Queensland, Australia, as well as during his audition for the television series Game of Thrones.
However, Momoa's haka performance on Wednesday night might have been more special considering it was performed alongside his kids, as well as actor Temuera Morrison, who plays Aquaman/Arthur's father in the film, joined him in the dance at the premiere. Morrison is of Māori descent and recently told New Zealand's Stuff Magazine that he and his co-star bonded over their shared love of the culture.
"He really embraced the haka and all things Māori," Morrison said. "We'll be out for dinner and all of a sudden we'll be asking the restaurant if they have any brooms. Next minute, Jason and I are on the streets doing the taiaha. I'm like an uncle to Jason. In fact all the boys on set call me Uncle, and that's all good."
Momoa will reprise his role as the Arthur Curry in "Aquaman" after being introduced initially to film audiences as the character in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
"Aquaman," which hit theatres on Dec. 21, was directed by James Wan, features an All-Star cast that includes Momoa (Arthur/Aquaman), Amber Heard (Mera), Nicole Kidman (Queen Atlanna), Patrick Wilson (Orm/Ocean Master), Willem Dafoe (Nuidis Vulko), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Ludi Lin (Murk), Dolph Lundgren (King Nereus), Djimon Hounsou (The Fisherman King), Natalia Safran (Fisherman Queen), and Michael Beach (Jesse Kane).
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