Jason Momoa Says Aquaman Was Based ‘a Little Bit Off of Slash’

Jason Momoa revealed that his take on Aquaman, who first appeared in 2017’s Justice League, has rock origins. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actor told host Jimmy Kimmel that he built his DC Comics superhero “a little bit off of Slash.”

“Look at the first Justice League,” Momoa explained. “I’m like, ‘That’s Slash.’ I mean, how do you dress up like you’re playing Aquaman? I’m not going to put him in a polo and some khakis. He was just rocking. The way that Zack [Snyder] designed him [and] wanted him to be was that he was rock ‘n’ roll. He punched Superman in the face and kissed Wonder Woman. He didn’t care.” He added, “Slash was so important in my life.”

Slash makes a cameo appearance in Momoa’s new eight-part docu-series, On the Roam, which is now streaming on Max. Although the actor had previously met Slash, he told Kimmel that it was intimidating because he had to “interview him for the first time” on the show.

“I’ve never done an interview,” Momoa said. “Hats off, because I was so nervous. And I’m also geeking out!” He added that he was most excited to see the Guns N’ Roses musician’s original guitars, which the duo took to Gibson to have replicated.

Momoa also told Kimmel how he tapped Metallica to use their 1991 song “Wherever I May Roam” for the theme song to On the Roam. “I just love Metallica so I just asked them and begged them,” he explained. Kimmel replied, “Was Slash jealous when you called Metallica and asked for a song? Because you just told me he was your idol and now I’m thinking maybe not.”

“As a single guitar player, Slash,” Momoa confirmed. “As a group, Metallica.”

Momoa’s most recent appearance as Aquaman was in sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which arrived in December and also starred Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, and Patrick Wilson. The actor appeared on Saturday Night Live the previous month to promote the film.

Jason Momoa revealed that his take on Aquaman, who first appeared in 2017’s Justice League, has rock origins. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actor told host Jimmy Kimmel that he built his DC Comics superhero “a little bit off of Slash.”

“Look at the first Justice League,” Momoa explained. “I’m like, ‘That’s Slash.’ I mean, how do you dress up like you’re playing Aquaman? I’m not going to put him in a polo and some khakis. He was just rocking. The way that Zack [Snyder] designed him [and] wanted him to be was that he was rock ‘n’ roll. He punched Superman in the face and kissed Wonder Woman. He didn’t care.” He added, “Slash was so important in my life.”

Slash makes a cameo appearance in Momoa’s new eight-part docu-series, On the Roam, which is now streaming on Max. Although the actor had previously met Slash, he told Kimmel that it was intimidating because he had to “interview him for the first time” on the show.

“I’ve never done an interview,” Momoa said. “Hats off, because I was so nervous. And I’m also geeking out!” He added that he was most excited to see the Guns N’ Roses musician’s original guitars, which the duo took to Gibson to have replicated.

Momoa also told Kimmel how he tapped Metallica to use their 1991 song “Wherever I May Roam” for the theme song to On the Roam. “I just love Metallica so I just asked them and begged them,” he explained. Kimmel replied, “Was Slash jealous when you called Metallica and asked for a song? Because you just told me he was your idol and now I’m thinking maybe not.”

“As a single guitar player, Slash,” Momoa confirmed. “As a group, Metallica.”

Momoa’s most recent appearance as Aquaman was in sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which arrived in December and also starred Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, and Patrick Wilson. The actor appeared on Saturday Night Live the previous month to promote the film.