Jason Momoa stars in the new Prime Video release, The Wrecking Crew, a film that draws inspiration from a renowned 1987 action franchise, recreating the classic buddy cop dynamic. Known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Aquaman, Momoa teams up with Dave Bautista, famous for Guardians of the Galaxy, in a story about two half-brothers unraveling the mystery behind their father’s death.
The Genesis of The Wrecking Crew and Its Inspiration
The idea behind The Wrecking Crew originated from Momoa’s long-held ambition to create an action movie set in Hawaii, honoring beloved films like Lethal Weapon and Tango & Cash. He envisioned a modern buddy cop story infused with humor and the spirit of classic 1980s action movies. Momoa reached out to Bautista during their time working together on the Apple TV series See, proposing they embark on a far lighter, comedic project.
“This is about two decades of me just coming up with a film that I wanted to do that would be really fun at home, back in Hawaii. And so without getting into too much details about that, I just had it. I pitched it to Dave because we had a wonderful working relationship. He played my brother in See and I was like, ‘Let’s get out of this mud and this blood and let’s go make a modern-day comedy.’ Something that we love, like a buddy cop movie. We both love Tango & Cash, Lethal Weapon. Obviously, it’s an homage to them. Those are great movies and we wanted to do something like that. And he was like, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’ And he tweeted that s*** out.”
— Jason Momoa, Actor
Bautista’s enthusiasm was clear when he took to social media to promote the project even before Momoa was aware of it, sparking interest among writers and producers. This unexpected viral moment accelerated development, with screenwriter and showrunner Jonathan Tropper ultimately chosen to write the script.
“And I got a call from my agent going, ‘What are we doing?’ And I’m like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have Twitter.’ And then I would go to work and I’m like, ‘Bro, you just made all that happen.’ And so then writers were putting in their resumes to write for it. And it ended up being Jonathan Tropper who won the pitch, who’s our showrunner, which is hilarious. And he really knows how to write for me and Dave and I love him. He’s a friend. And so Tropper has been our guy and he just took it to the next level. And yeah, there we are.”
— Jason Momoa, Actor
Creative Collaboration and Script Development
Jonathan Tropper, who had previously worked closely with Momoa and Bautista on See as showrunner, executive producer, and writer, brought his deep understanding of the actors’ styles to the project. The three shared a strong passion for late 1980s and early 1990s action films, which became a foundation for crafting the story.
“I don’t have a great chronological recollection, but when we were all doing See together, we had discovered our mutual love for the late ’80s, early ’90s action movies, Shane Black and that kind of stuff. We had talked about it for a while. Then See ended. We went our separate ways. At one point, I think right around the time where Dave sent out that tweet that started the whole thing rolling, they began getting inundated with stuff. I forgot if it was Dave or Jason who called me first and said, ‘Hey, you got to throw your hat in the ring for this.’ I told them I wanted to do it with them and then we just decided to do it together.”
— Jonathan Tropper, Screenwriter and Showrunner
Tropper worked closely with both actors to shape the narrative around two estranged brothers. Momoa had developed the central concept of reconciliation and uncovering family truths against the vibrant backdrop of Hawaii, describing the film as essentially a “Lethal Weapon in Hawaii.”
“Jason had always known he wanted to be this kind of estranged brother story in Hawaii and he wanted it to be about these two brothers coming to terms with their father and Hawaii. And so that was always the germ of his ideas, wanting to do, as we called it, a Lethal Weapon in Hawaii. In terms of creating the actual story, that was me in consultation with both of them.”
— Jonathan Tropper, Screenwriter and Showrunner
Plot and Characters: Brothers Bound by Tragedy
The Wrecking Crew follows two half-brothers, played by Momoa and Bautista, who have been distant for years but must unite following their father’s death. Momoa’s character is a police officer, while Bautista portrays a Navy SEAL. Their conflicting personalities and fraught history inform much of the film’s tension and drama, mirroring themes familiar to fans of the buddy cop genre.
The story draws clear parallels to the Lethal Weapon franchise, which centers on two police officers working past their differences to solve crimes. With The Wrecking Crew, Momoa and Bautista revive this dynamic while adding new cultural and geographic layers by situating the narrative in Hawaii.
Production Team and Supporting Cast
The film is directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, known for his work on Blue Beetle, and produced by a team including Momoa, Bautista, Jeffrey Fierson, Matt Reeves, and Lynn Harris. The supporting cast features notable actors such as Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, Stephen Root, Morena Baccarin, Maia Kealoha, Lydia Peckham, and Stephen Oyoung, adding depth and variety to the story’s ensemble.
Release Details and Critical Reception
The Wrecking Crew became available for streaming on Prime Video on January 28. Early reviews commend the film for successfully blending action and comedy, delivering a fresh take on the buddy cop trope while paying respectful tribute to its inspirations. The movie currently holds a strong 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting largely positive responses from both critics and audiences.
A New Chapter for Fans of Classic Action
With the status of Lethal Weapon 5 uncertain and no confirmed plans for continuation of that franchise, The Wrecking Crew offers fans of the genre an alternative that captures the spirit of the iconic action buddy films. By combining intense brotherly conflict with Hawaii’s unique setting and a sharp script, the film aims to both revive nostalgia and establish its own identity within the crowded market.
Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista’s collaboration brings renewed energy and star power to the genre, and the involvement of Jonathan Tropper promises a story crafted with careful attention to character and tone. For audiences seeking a blend of serious drama, action, and comedic interplay grounded in a thoughtful narrative, The Wrecking Crew stands out as a notable addition to their streaming options.
