One of, if not the, greatest films in Aotearoa's history ‘Once Were Warriors’ is returning as a TV series - leshgo.
It will be called ‘Once Were Warriors: Generations’ and will focus on the present-day Heke family, thirty years after we first saw them in the original film.
Te Ao News reports the story will revolve around “political aspirations, financial schemes, cultural clashes, and a search for redemption” all “filtered through a Māori lens and the family’s ‘unforgiving past’.”
There is currently no release date and filming hasn’t started. We do know the series will be filmed in Aotearoa “to ensure authentic representation of Māori, and the country’s landscapes, awa, and moana.”
The story will be set in the city of Tāmaki Makaurau and the rural areas of Rotorua. Members of the original cast - such as Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen and Cliff Curtis - are not confirmed to return but can be expected to make guest appearances in the series.
Alan Duff, the author of the original book the movie is based on, teamed up with US production company Onphaya to make the return happen. Duff assures that, just like the movie, the new series will put your emotions through it.
“It will break your heart, make your spirits soar and your senses reel,” he said.
Rick Selvage, the founder of Onphaya, reckons the story and its cultural presence will make it a mean TV series.
“I was drawn to the passion in Alan’s storytelling and the exciting modern world he has created with the Heke family,” he said. “Who can resist the power of a ‘Once Were Warriors’ storyline told through the rich indigenous Māori culture and the beauty of New Zealand?".
One person who will be pumped at this news is American actress Viola Davis. Earlier this year the legend revealed the OG film is in her top four movies of all time.
We’ll keep you updated on when the TV series will be out.
