Jason Momoa Joins Helldivers Cast as Video Game Adaptations Dominate Cinema

ason Momoa signs on for the 2027 Helldivers film. Discover his history as a lifeguard, his connection to Brandon Routh, and his deep ties to heavy metal music.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Source: Pubity

A High School Connection to the Man of Steel

While Momoa is often associated with his Hawaiian heritage, his formative years were spent in Norwalk, Iowa. During his time at Norwalk High School, Momoa was a dedicated athlete on the soccer team, where he played alongside another future superhero: Brandon Routh. Years before Routh would don the cape in 2006’s Superman Returns and Momoa would be cast as Aquaman, the two were simply teammates in the American Midwest. This rare coincidence of two major comic book icons emerging from the same small-town athletic program remains a unique piece of Hollywood trivia.

The Professional Lifeguard Roots of an Action Hero

Long before his breakthrough in the entertainment industry, Momoa’s life was defined by the outdoors and physical conditioning. An avid rock climber and boulderer, he leveraged his physique and swimming proficiency to become the youngest lifeguard in the history of the Gulf Coast during his teenage years. This rigorous maritime training provided the practical foundation for his eventual transition into acting, particularly for roles that required high levels of physical exertion and comfort in aquatic environments.

An Unconventional Entry into Professional Acting

Unlike many of his contemporaries who began their careers in childhood, Momoa did not enter the acting world until age 19. While working at a surf shop in Honolulu, he auditioned for Baywatch: Hawaii on a whim. Standing out among a massive pool of over 1,300 applicants, he was cast as Jason Ioane, a role he held from 1999 to 2001. This "accidental" start launched a career that would eventually lead him to Game of Thrones and the DC Extended Universe, proving that his late start was no barrier to achieving A-list status.