Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison is a New Zealand actor who has had a successful career in both film and television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Jango Fett in the Star Wars prequel films, as well as his role as Aquaman’s father in the 2018 superhero film, Aquaman.
Morrison has also appeared in a number of other notable films, including Once Were Warriors, Vertical Limit, and Green Lantern. In addition to his work in film, Morrison has also had a successful career in New Zealand television, appearing in a number of popular shows, including Shortland Street, Mataku, and Jackson’s Wharf.
The Crooked Earth an early Movie for Morrison from NZOnScreen.
Temuera Morrison has won several awards throughout his career, including:
- New Zealand Film and TV Awards – Best Actor for “Once Were Warriors” (1994)
- Fantafestival – Best Actor for “The Island of Dr. Moreau” (1996)
- New Zealand Film and TV Awards – Best Actor for “Speedy’s Return” (2001)
- Asia Pacific Screen Awards – Best Performance by an Actor for “The Orator” (2011)
- Aotearoa Film and Television Awards – Best Actor for “The Dead Lands” (2015)
- Aotearoa Film and Television Awards – Te Tohu Tiketike o te Waka Huia for his contribution to the film industry in New Zealand (2017)
He has also been nominated for several other awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in the movie “Aquaman” (2018).
One interesting story about Temuera Morrison involves his role as Jake the Muss in the 1994 New Zealand film “Once Were Warriors”. In the film, Morrison played a violent and abusive husband and father, and his performance was widely praised for its intensity and emotional depth.
However, the role also had a profound impact on Morrison personally. In an interview, he revealed that playing Jake the Muss took a significant toll on him, both physically and emotionally.
He had to gain weight and adopt a different physicality for the role, and he also had to tap into some of his own personal experiences to bring authenticity to the character’s violent outbursts.
After filming was complete, Morrison found it difficult to shake off the character and the emotional weight of the role. He struggled with depression and anxiety, and it took him several years to fully recover.
Despite the challenges he faced, Morrison sees the role as a turning point in his career and a reflection of the depth and complexity of his abilities as an actor.
He also believes that the film had a powerful impact on New Zealand society, sparking important conversations about issues of domestic violence and child abuse.
Morrison’s experience with “Once Were Warriors” serves as a reminder of the profound impact that a powerful performance can have, both on the audience and on the actor themselves.
Cliff Curtis
He has appeared in many movies, including Whale Rider, The Dark Horse, and Training Day, among others. He’s known for his ability to play a wide range of characters from different cultures and backgrounds.
Curtis has been acting for over 20 years and has earned critical acclaim for his performances. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Award and the New Zealand Film and Television Award.
In addition to acting, Curtis is also involved in philanthropic work and has used his success to help improve the lives of others.
Overall, Cliff Curtis is a highly respected and talented actor who has made a significant impact in the film industry. His performances are always captivating and authentic, and he continues to be a beloved figure in both his home country of New Zealand and around the world.
Cliff Curtis has won several awards throughout his career, including:
- Best Actor award at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards for his role in “Once Were Warriors” (1994).
- Best Supporting Actor award at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards for his role in “Desperate Remedies” (1993).
- Best Actor award at the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Awards for his role in “The Dark Horse” (2014).
- Best Supporting Actor award at the New Zealand Film Awards for his role in “Whale Rider” (2002).
- Best Performance by an Actor award at the Qantas Television Awards for his role in “The Chosen” (2009).
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his role in “Avatar” (2009).
These are just a few examples of the many awards Cliff Curtis has won over the years.
An interesting tidbit about Cliff Curtis is that he has played characters from a wide range of ethnicities and cultures, including Maori, Latino, Middle Eastern, African American, and more. This has earned him a reputation as a versatile and chameleonic actor who is able to disappear into his roles.
Curtis’s ability to play such a diverse range of characters has also opened up new opportunities for him in Hollywood. In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, he said, “It’s been fantastic to be able to go from playing a Colombian drug lord to an Arab businessman to a Maori chief. I feel very lucky to have had those opportunities, and I hope it inspires other actors to do the same.”
Taika Waititi
While Taika Waititi is primarily known as a filmmaker and director, he did start his career as an actor. He began acting in New Zealand in the late 1990s, and appeared in a number of local productions. Some of his early acting credits include the New Zealand TV series “Space” and the film “Scarfies.”
However, Waititi’s breakthrough role as an actor came in 2004 when he co-wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed New Zealand film “Eagle vs Shark.”
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was praised for its quirky humor and unique style. After the success of “Eagle vs Shark,” Waititi began to focus more on writing and directing, although he has continued to act in some of his own films as well as in other projects.
Taika Waititi has directed and/or acted in several well-known movies. Some of his most well-known movies include:
- Boy (2010)
- What We Do in the Shadows (2014) – a horror-comedy mockumentary film that follows the lives of four vampire flatmates in Wellington, New Zealand.
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Thor. Waititi directed the movie and also played the character Korg.
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) – a comedy-drama film about a young boy and his foster father who become the targets of a manhunt in the New Zealand wilderness.
- Jojo Rabbit (2019) – a satirical black comedy-drama film set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Waititi directed the movie and also played the character Adolf Hitler.
- Eagle vs Shark (2007) – a romantic comedy film about two socially awkward misfits who fall in love. Waititi wrote and directed the movie.
These are just a few examples of Taika Waititi’s most well-known movies. He has also directed and acted in several other films and television shows throughout his career.
An interesting story about Taika directing Thor: Ragnarok. Waititi was brought on board to direct the film after Marvel Studios saw his work on the indie film “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.”
However, Waititi was initially hesitant to take on the project, as he was not a fan of superhero movies and did not want to compromise his unique style to fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
To make the movie his own, Waititi decided to inject his signature humor into the script and encouraged the actors to improvise during filming.
He even brought in his friend and collaborator, actor/comedian Chris Hemsworth, to help punch up the jokes.
One particularly memorable moment on set came during a scene where Hemsworth’s character, Thor, is imprisoned and forced to fight in a gladiator-style arena.
Waititi wanted to make the scene as funny as possible, so he had Hemsworth improvise a line where he refers to his opponent, played by actor Mark Ruffalo, as “my friend from work.”
The line was a hit with the cast and crew and ended up making it into the final cut of the film. It became one of the most quoted and beloved lines from “Thor: Ragnarok” and showcased Waititi’s talent for injecting humor into even the most action-packed scenes.
Overall, Waititi’s unique vision and sense of humor helped make “Thor: Ragnarok” one of the most successful and entertaining Marvel movies to date.
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Keisha Castle-Hughes is known for her acting career, particularly for her breakout role in the 2002 movie “Whale Rider,” which earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
She has since appeared in a variety of films and television shows, including “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” “The Nativity Story,” “Game of Thrones,” “Roadies,” and “Manhunt: Unabomber.”
In addition to her acting work, Castle-Hughes has also become known for her humanitarian efforts, including her work as a UNICEF ambassador and her support of various causes, such as Indigenous rights and environmental protection.
She has also been recognized for her efforts to promote diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.
One interesting story about Keisha Castle-Hughes involves her audition for the lead role in the 2002 film “Whale Rider.” According to director Niki Caro, she had already auditioned hundreds of young girls for the part, but had not found the right fit.
One day, while Caro was at a school in New Zealand scouting for talent, she saw Castle-Hughes performing in a school play. Caro was immediately struck by Castle-Hughes’ presence and talent, and asked her to audition for the role.
However, Castle-Hughes initially declined the offer, as she had never acted in a film before and didn’t believe she was capable of playing such a complex character.
It wasn’t until Caro visited Castle-Hughes’ family at their home and convinced her parents to let her audition that Castle-Hughes finally agreed to give it a try.
Castle-Hughes went on to deliver a powerful and moving performance as Paikea, the young Maori girl who fights to become the chief of her tribe. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination, making her the youngest actress ever to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar at the time.
Rachel House
Rachel House is a talented actress who has played a wide range of roles throughout her career. Here are some of her notable performances:
- “Whale Rider” (2002) – In this critically acclaimed film, House played the role of Sharn, the friend and confidante of the main character, Paikea.
- “Eagle vs Shark” (2007) – House played the role of Nancy, the mother of the main character, Lily.
- “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016) – In this popular New Zealand film, House played the role of Paula, a tough and determined social worker.
- “Moana” (2016) – House provided the voice of Gramma Tala, the wise and loving grandmother of the film’s main character, Moana.
- “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017) – In this Marvel superhero movie, House played the role of Topaz, one of the henchmen of the film’s villain, the Grandmaster.
- “Soul” (2020) – House lent her voice to the character of Terry, a soul counter in the afterlife, in this Pixar animated film.
She has also appeared in numerous other films and television shows, both in New Zealand and internationally.
One interesting story about her involves her work on the Disney animated film “Moana”.
In the film, House voiced the character of Gramma Tala, who is Moana’s grandmother and a guardian of the ocean. House’s performance in the film was widely praised, and she brought a lot of heart and humor to the role.
However, what many people don’t know is that House’s performance was inspired by her own grandmother, who was also a powerful figure in her life.
According to House, her grandmother was a “strong and loving woman” who had a big impact on her and her family.
House brought this personal connection to her work on “Moana”, and it helped her to create a character that was not only funny and wise but also deeply rooted in her own culture and experiences.
The film went on to be a huge success, grossing over $690 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim for its storytelling, animation, and music.
House’s performance as Gramma Tala was a big part of that success, and it’s a testament to her talent and dedication as an actress.
Rena Owen
Rena Owen is a New Zealand actress who has appeared in a variety of film and television roles throughout her career. Here are some of her notable performances:
- “Once Were Warriors” (1994) – In this powerful and acclaimed New Zealand film, Owen played the role of Beth Heke, a wife and mother struggling to hold her family together in the face of poverty and violence.
- “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002) – Owen played the role of Taun We, a Kaminoan who assists the Jedi in their investigation of the clone army.
- “Shortland Street” (1992-1995) – Owen played the role of Hine Ryan, a nurse on New Zealand’s longest-running soap opera.
- “The Last Witch Hunter” (2015) – Owen played the role of Glaeser, a powerful witch and ally of the film’s hero, played by Vin Diesel.
- “Siren” (2018-2020) – In this American television series, Owen played the role of Helen Hawkins, a mermaid who befriends the main character, played by Eline Powell.
- “The Gloaming” (2020) – Owen played the role of Grace Cochran, a detective investigating a series of murders in Tasmania, Australia.
- Whina: Whina Cooper was a prominent Maori leader and activist who played an important role in fighting for Maori rights and land issues in New Zealand.
One funny story involves her work on the film “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”, in which she played the role of Taun We, a Kaminoan who assists the Jedi in their investigation of the clone army.
According to Owen, the costume and makeup required for the role were incredibly elaborate and time-consuming, and it was not always easy to move around or communicate while wearing them.
During a break in filming, Owen found herself in need of a restroom, but was unable to communicate this to anyone because of her costume.
She ended up sneaking off to a nearby restroom by herself, but soon discovered that she was unable to reach the toilet paper due to the long sleeves of her costume.
After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the toilet paper, Owen was forced to call out for help.
Eventually, one of the crew members heard her and came to her rescue, but not before she had spent several embarrassing minutes stuck in the restroom, unable to complete her task.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Owen looks back on the incident with humor and fondness, and sees it as a reminder of the many challenges and unexpected moments that can arise in the course of a film production.
Maori Playwrights and their plays
Manu Bennett
Manu Bennett is a New Zealand actor who is best known for his roles in several popular television series and films. He has gained a significant following for his portrayals of tough, heroic characters, often with a touch of humor and wit.
Bennett is probably best known for his role as Crixus in the television series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” and its subsequent seasons. In the series, Bennett played a gladiator who leads a revolt against the Roman Republic, and his performance was widely praised for its intensity and emotional depth.
He is also known for his role as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke in the CW television series “Arrow”, as well as for his portrayal of Azog the Defiler in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of “The Hobbit”. Other notable roles include Allanon in “The Shannara Chronicles”, and roles in the films “The Marine” and “The Condemned”.
Bennett is admired for his physical presence and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters, and he has a large and dedicated fan base. He continues to be a popular presence in film and television, and is known for his generosity and engagement with his fans both online and in person.
One interesting story about Manu Bennett involves his audition for the role of Azog the Defiler in “The Hobbit” films. In the audition, Bennett was asked to perform a scene in which Azog chases down and kills a dwarf, but he took the scene in a surprising and unexpected direction.
Instead of simply playing the scene as written, Bennett decided to add in some comedic elements, performing the scene with exaggerated movements and facial expressions that made it clear he was having fun with the role. He also improvised some lines of dialogue, adding a bit of humor and irreverence to the scene.
Despite deviating from the script, Bennett’s audition impressed the filmmakers, who saw that he had a unique and memorable take on the character of Azog. He was ultimately offered the role, and went on to become one of the most memorable and popular characters in the film series.
Bennett’s willingness to take risks and improvise in his audition is a testament to his creativity and dedication as an actor, and it shows how sometimes the best performances can come from taking a chance and putting your own spin on a role.
