Jason Momoa is officially returning to the sands of Arrakis in Dune: Part Three, one of the most anticipated films on the 2026 release calendar. But this time, stepping back into the role of Duncan Idaho came with a twist — Momoa wasn’t alone. His son, Nakoa‑Wolf Momoa, joined the cast in a major role, making the experience both thrilling and unexpectedly nerve‑racking for the actor.
In Denis Villeneuve’s third installment of the Dune saga, Nakoa‑Wolf portrays Leto II Atreides, the son of Paul Atreides and Chani — a pivotal character in Frank Herbert’s universe. Landing such a role is a milestone for any young actor, and Jason Momoa has repeatedly emphasized that his son earned it entirely on his own merits.
During a recent appearance on Today, Momoa opened up about what it was really like to work alongside his son on such a massive production. Despite his usual confidence and easygoing nature, the actor admitted the experience left him more anxious than fans might expect.
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“Absolutely terrifying. Yeah, terrifying… because it’s my baby,” Momoa confessed. “I didn’t want him to get into acting, and then he did it on his own. And he really killed it, and he’s really good.”
His comments reveal a mix of parental pride and protective instinct. Watching his son step into the demanding world of blockbuster filmmaking — especially on a project as intense and high‑profile as Dune — naturally stirred up concern. Momoa wasn’t just thinking about performance; he was thinking about his son’s well‑being, confidence, and first‑time experience on a major set.
Parents often feel anxious when their children take on new challenges, and for Momoa, that feeling was magnified by the scale of the production and the emotional weight of sharing the screen with his child. Still, the actor made it clear that Nakoa‑Wolf rose to the occasion. As he put it, his son “killed it,” a sentiment he has echoed in past interviews when discussing both his pride and his initial hesitation about Nakoa‑Wolf entering the acting world.
With Dune: Part Three shaping up to be a monumental conclusion to Villeneuve’s trilogy, the addition of a real‑life father‑son dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue — and heart — to the film. And if Momoa’s words are any indication, audiences may be witnessing the rise of a new star in the making.
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