Momoa describes Dex as a “Native American Mad Max. He’s a real rebel and he’s very primal. … So Ronon has to be smart and keep moving so he can avoid being caught. He was a weapons specialist so he has an affinity to guns and weapons, of course — and he definitely knows how to use them! He also is an expert at martial arts so I had to train a lot to take on that part of his character.
“Because he was always on the move, he’s a real loner and he certainly doesn’t trust anyone,” Momoa said. “He goes on his instinct. The Atlantis crew is always trying to tone him down, to stop him from just pulling out his gun and shooting someone because he doesn’t trust them or he doesn’t think they have time to find out! He’s had to live very defensively for the past seven years, so he can’t just turn that off.”
Momoa finds his work on Stargate to be completely different than his previous roles. “I wear a lot more clothes on Atlantis! In Baywatch Hawaii and North Shore, I was always saying, ‘Let me wear a shirt every now and then!’ Now I have to wear 25 pounds of armour and cumbersome weaponry and I’m always sweating and hot! Now I’m saying, ‘Can’t Ronon wear shorts in this episode?'”
The fans of the show are a pleasant and very unexpected surprise to the actor. “Sci-fi fans are unlike any other fans I’ve ever encountered,” he said. “They’re so dedicated, and it’s awesome. I think they have a huge effect on the show. It certainly makes us, as actors, and the writers as well, pay a lot of attention to detail because they notice everything! But that makes us all more accountable, too. And I think the product is better for it as a result. We have to be on our toes!”
Look for the complete interview translated into English at Stargate Project! Stargate Atlantis wraps up its second season with the U.S. premiere of “Allies” on Friday, March 10. Season Three is now filming.