Jason Momoa continues to impress me. Probably not for the same reason Marilyn finds him impressive, but that’s by the by…
On the quiet, he has produced an independent film, retelling the tale of a desert manhunt that went down in the early 20th century not far from my old stompin’ grounds in Southern California.
Talkin’ about the story of Willie Boy, who’s love for a 16-year-old cousin brought death and destruction in the Mojave Desert. The story was made into a 1969 film, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, starring Robert Blake in the titular role, and Robert Redford as the man leading a posse to run the young Indian down. Momoa’s movie is titled The Last Manhunt.
From Deadline:
Set in 1909 when a reputed murder spawns a tragedy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, the film follows Willie Boy and his love Carlota who go on the run after he accidentally shoots her father in a confrontation gone terribly wrong. With President Taft coming to the area, the local sheriff leads two Native American trackers seeking justice for their “murdered” tribal leader.
Jason Momoa heard the story of Chemehuevi Desert Runner, Willie Boy, while in Joshua Tree and became fascinated by it. He called fellow Indigenous writer, Pa’a Sibbett, and both immediately warmed to the idea of a script.
Momoa and Sibbett spoke with tribal leaders of the 29 Palms band of Chemehuevi, some of which are direct descendants of Willie Boy’s story. In that meeting the tribes were given the script and told that if there was any reason they didn’t feel comfortable with the production of such a beloved story, then production would stop and no movie would be filmed. The tribal leaders agreed to production and filming began with a tribal ceremony with members of the Chemehuevi, Serrano and Cahuilla tribes participating.
Reese+Crawford says
Anything Zahn McClarnon is in turns to gold.
JimC says
He’s a good un. Loved him in The Son.
Jerry Nunnally says
It took me a minute to warm up to Mr. Momoa, but there is more depth to his characters and stories than I had first anticipated. It will be an impressive feat for him to pull off being a Chemehuevi. In my very limited experience with the SW desert peoples, I don’t recall seeing too many giants! I’m looking forward to seeing him pull it off. Ironically, I found the political subtext of the 1969 film more interesting than the ‘love story’ which didn’t really ring true for me. The desert chase was ok and was the only part that mattered to me when I was a kid, but watching it as an adult it didn’t have the same effect. And Redford?? I don’t know….
Michael Zimmer says
I recall reading many years ago that Willie Boy was actually called Billie Boy, but that Taft was also known as Billy Boy. So the press changed the Chemehuevi’s name to Willie to avoid confusion.
JimC says
Interesting. Good to hear from you again Michael.
lane+batot says
I’ll certainly watch it, do I get the chance. Well do I remember the original(ABC TV movie, wasn’t it?) “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here”! Jason Momoa should then do a movie about a rather forgotten episode in Frontier History, the Cherokee outlaw Ned Christie! Dang, if Momoa kinda favors old Ned!…and talking about a “last” manhunt–been going down yet another rabbit hole, involving the infamous Albert Johnson, the hunted outlaw in early 1900’s Canada(Yukon), also ballyhooed as the GREATEST manhunt in history! The Charles Bronson movie made about it “Death Hunt” is a great one(I think….), another movie on the subject with beloved old Mike Mazurki(“Challenge To Be Free”), is not, so much. Rewatching my DVD copy of “Death Hunt” recently(amazing the similarities between that movie and the first Rambo movie “First Blood”! Both made right around the same time! Hey, I loved them BOTH!) made me want to learn about THE REAL story behind the legends, so, of course, I got me some books! I’ll havta let you know how they went, when I get around to them…..
JimC says
That is a BRILLIANT idea. Momma would crush that role.