UPDATE 05/06/2024: Due to unexpected schedule changes for an upcoming production, Temuera Morrison will no longer be able to join us in Perth later this month. He is still scheduled to attend Supanova in Sydney.
Supanova in Sydney (22-23 June) and Perth (29-30 June) are quickly approaching, and so is Supa-Star Temuera Morrison!
Let’s take a moment to reflect on his wonderful career as a global film and TV star. Whether he’s just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe, a lighthouse keeper, or even a sweetheart doctor, these are just some of Morrison’s most iconic roles.
JAKE “THE MUSS” HEKE
ONCE WERE WARRIORS
In 1994, we were introduced to Once Were Warriors on cinema screens. Based on the book of the same title, Temuera plays Jake “The Muss” Heke, a complex character who’s somewhere between terrifying and tragic. He spends his time at the pub, and throws parties at his house. This story is like Jake, not for the faint-hearted.
Temuera returned as Jake in 1999’s What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? where he received tough love and a much-needed redemption arc, of sorts. The third book in the trilogy, Jake’s Long Shadow has yet to be adapted to the big screen. But you never know, Jake “The Muss” may return, he’s not so good with goodbyes.
JANGO FETT, BOBA FETT, AND THE CLONES
STAR WARS
“I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.” In 2002, we were first introduced to fierce Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, Father of Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. And his clones too! About 200,000 units, with a million more well on the way. Enough for an army for the Republic. Sadly, Jango Fett never saw this come to fruition. The party was over for Jango Fett when Mace Windu arrived, shaping the life of the young Boba Fett.
Morrison voiced all the clones in the Star Wars prequel movies. A generation will always remember his narration of the 501st Journal in 2005’s Star Wars Battlefront 2 video game, in particular Journal Entry 7: Knightfall. He first voiced Boba Fett in the Special Edition of The Empire Strikes Back, released on home media in 2004.
He has reprised these roles in various Star Wars media, including video games and Disney+ shows. Morrison donned his armour and gaffi stick in season two of The Mandalorian, as an older and more experienced Boba Fett, fresh from the Sarlacc Pit in Tatooine. 2022’s The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+ had Boba Fett take his place as the Daimyo of Mos Espa, with bounty hunter Fennec Shand as his right-hand enforcer. We have a feeling that we haven’t seen or heard the last of Temuera Morrison in this much-beloved galaxy.
HONE ROPATA
SHORTLAND STREET
Shortland Street, a New Zealand soap opera, first graced TV screens back in 1992 and is still running to this day. Morrison played Doctor Hone Ropata, an original cast member first introduced in the pilot/first episode. An unconventional doctor arrives at Shortland Street Hospital from a stint in Guatemala; a witty and good-hearted doctor who’s not afraid to bend the rules and use unorthodox methods to save the lives of his patients. He was a fan favourite.
Morrison left the role in 1995, but he would return in 2008 for a short period, to mark the show reaching a 4000-episode milestone. He hasn’t returned to the role again yet, but with Dr. Ropata still alive and well, anything is possible.
THOMAS CURRY
AQUAMAN/DCU
Many know Morrison as the film (Aqua)dad of Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry/Aquaman in the now-defunct DC Extended Universe. Thomas Curry, a humble lighthouse keeper, fell in love with Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis, after rescuing her during a fierce storm. Tom supports his son (and his grandson) no matter what, even though Arthur’s duties as King of Atlantis and as a superhero are a little bit beyond his fatherly wisdom and jurisdiction. Morrison’s warm and fatherly presence was a definitive highlight of the DCEU and the Aquaman movies.
PETER BARTLETT
OCCUPATION
Occupation and its sequel, Occupation: Rainfall, is from the imagination of filmmaker Supanova alumni Luke Sparke and stars Temuera Morrison as Peter Bartlett, who’s responsible for forming a ragtag guerrilla force against an alien invasion of Earth. Rainfall sees Bartlett and the resistance force on the run after Sydney is destroyed, all the while trying to investigate what the mysterious ‘Rainfall’ is referring to.
CHIEF TUI
MOANA
Chief Tui is the leader and protector of the Motunui people and the father of Moana. His love and overprotectiveness of Moana cause disagreements to arise when she desires to travel across the oceans in pursuit of restoring the heart of Te Fiti. After completing her quest, Moana and Tui reconcile. Then Moana, Tui and the people of Motunui travel the oceans together, with Moana as Chief.
Morrison’s passion and singing would be an incredible asset for Moana 2. Let’s hope he reprises the role and sings up a storm when Moana 2 graces cinemas later this year.
Morrison has always poured his heart and soul into his roles. Whatever comes next, we are sure he will knock it out of the park… or rather, out of this galaxy!
Meet Temuera Morrison at Supanova in Sydney (22-23 June).
