First photos from the film The Last Manhunt show Jason Momoa as an early 20th century character. The film is adapted from the oral history of the Chemehuevi tribe of Joshua Tree, California. It's set in the dying west of 1909 and follows Willie Boy and his lover Carlota, who must go on the run after Willie Boy accidentally shoots Carlota’s father. The pair's escape leads to the a "manhunt" through the desert, lead by a sheriff and two Native American trackers resolved to find justice for their fallen tribal leader. This story was first adapted in the 1969 film Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here.
Deadline has released first photos from the film, featuring Aquaman and Dune star Jason Momoa as a character known as Big Jim. In addition to a casting credit, Momoa is also a co-writer and executive producer on the film, as it was his experience with the Chemehuevi tribe that inspired the adaptation. The first images also show the large Indigenous American cast, which includes Martin Sensmeier (The Magnificent Seven, Westworld) as Willie Boy, Mainei Kinimaka (See) as Carlota, Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs) as Carlota’s father, Lily Gladstone (Certain Women, Billions) as Carlota’s mother, and more. Christian Camargo directs the film and also stars as Sheriff Frank Wilson. Check out more of the images below:
The film’s production included permission and consultation by Chemehuevi tribal officials to maintain the fidelity to the beloved history. The consultations included Dr. Cliff Traftzer, a scholar of California’s desert tribes, and Matt Leivas, who is a keeper of the Chemehuevi’s sacred Salt Songs. Levias also chanted the songs and assisted with language in the film. The production team of The Last Manhunt, including Momoa, was determined to present a film that was respectful to the culture represented amid a growing interest in Indigenous narratives, which is an encouraging start point. Hopefully, the film remains truthful to the story first told by the Chemehuevi tribe.
Source: Deadline
