Before becoming widely known for his roles as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe, Jason Momoa portrayed Ronon Dex on SyFy’s Stargate: Atlantis. Momoa’s character, a tough and silent warrior, made a memorable first appearance in Season 2, quickly becoming a fan favorite. The role demanded that Momoa wear heavy dreadlocks, a choice that eventually caused significant discomfort during filming.
The Physical Toll of Momoa’s Iconic Ronon Dex Look
Initially, the character Ronon Dex was designed to sport dark leather attire along with long dreadlocks, which Momoa wore throughout much of the series. After several seasons, Momoa decided to shave off his five-pound dreadlocks while on vacation in Hawaii between the show’s fourth and fifth seasons. However, when he returned to set for the final season, the production team sewed the dreadlocks back onto his scalp to maintain the character’s appearance.
Severe Discomfort from Sewn-In Dreadlocks
Wearing the dreadlocks sewn into his scalp caused Jason Momoa considerable pain. He described how the process created sores and pulled painfully on his hair follicles, making his scalp highly sensitive. The discomfort was so intense that after filming just one episode with the sewn-in dreadlocks, Momoa confronted executive producer John Smith about the unbearable conditions on set.
“I started getting sores on my head,”
Jason Momoa, Actor
“It’s just pulling all of the hairs out of your scalp. So it’s just super sensitive.”
Jason Momoa, Actor
Solutions and Adjustments Behind the Scenes
Following Momoa’s complaint, the production team decided to cut off the painful dreadlocks and replaced them with the stunt double’s wig for the remainder of the day’s shooting. Though the stunt double’s wig was not intended for close-up shots, the crew managed to finish filming Ronon’s scenes. Later, the costume department invested in a custom wig valued at $10,000 to replicate the character’s hairstyle for the rest of the series, which continued until SyFy canceled the show in 2009.
Despite the custom wig being heavier than the original dreadlocks, Momoa appreciated being able to remove it daily, providing relief to his neck and scalp after long filming sessions. This adjustment helped reduce the physical strain Momoa endured while portraying Ronon Dex, allowing him to continue engaging audiences with the beloved character.
Impact on Jason Momoa’s Career and Legacy
The experience of wearing and eventually removing the dreadlocks illustrates the physical challenges actors sometimes face in creating iconic appearances. Momoa’s perseverance through discomfort shows his dedication to bringing convincing characters to life, whether as Ronon Dex or later as Khal Drogo and Aquaman. The story behind the dreadlocks adds depth to the fan-favorite role and highlights the demanding nature of television production, especially for characters with distinctive and intricate looks.
