Jason Momoa on Conan the Barbarian, Game of Thrones, and Getting
Past Baywatch  jasonmomoa300.jpgWhen Jason Momoa assumes the
mantle and broadsword of Robert E. Howard's iconic hero Conan
the Cimmerian in Marcus Nispel's re-envisioned Conan the
Barbarian, he's got eight decades of popularized novels,
artwork, and the specter of Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous
'80s-era barbarian to contend with. Which is why, with Hawaiian-
born Momoa's distinct look, his influences, and the circuitous
route he took from Baywatch hunk to Game of Thrones fan
favorite, you should be happy that this isn't your grandpa's
Conan.  Nispel's bloody Conan the Barbarian reboots the familiar
origin tale with the orphaned warrior, now grown, bent on
vengeance against the warlord Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang), who
killed his family. Along the way there are women (Rachel Nichols
as Conan's love interest) and witches (Rose McGowan as Khalar
Zym's daughter) and copious amounts of bloodshed. Momoa, who
sees his Conan as an amalgamation of artist Fra