Paul Heyman Cites Apocalypse Now As Inspiration For ‘Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns

Paul Heyman had a hand behind Roman Reigns‘ current WWE character.

Heyman has been the manager for Reigns for some time now. He helped him retain his Undisputed WWE Championship for over three years. Speaking at the Barrett Sports Media Summit, Heyman revealed the inspiration behind Roman Reigns’ character.

Heyman had Reigns watch Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. This inspired the character of the “Tribal Chief”, which has made Reigns one of the biggest heels in history.

“The character of Roman Reigns as the Tribal Chief, which by way of an example, is inspired by Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now.“

“When we first started talking about the presentation of the tribal chief, I had Roman Reigns watch Apocalypse Now multiple times. Because, to me, that was the heart and soul of the character of the Tribal Chief. A warrior, so great that he conquered his own Island. We call it ‘The Island of Relevancy’. Someone who now all the natives, which is the WWE Universe, all the fans and all the performers, look to for guidance because he is the top star.”

Paul Heyman Likens The Tribal Chief To A Pseudo-God

Heyman continued explaining the concept behind the character. He linked Reigns’ character to the “Pseudo-God” played by Brando, and explained the burden felt by the Tribal Chief.

“In Apocalypse Now, Brando presented himself as a pseudo-God. We call it a ‘Tribal Chief.’ And then, as everyone relies on [Colonel Walter Kurtz] – Brando in Apocalypse Now – on this island, for guidance, for wisdom, for substance, for food, for shelter. You will lead us to the promised land. To the island of relevancy. He feels the burden, of the responsibility, of the accountability to be the leader of all these people.”

“And he resents them so much that when Martin Sheen kills him and opens up the book, Kurtz had written ‘drop the bomb, kill them all’. Because he resented those who looked to him for the guidance that he wanted to give them at the beginning, but that the obligation became too much to bear.”

“That’s where the villainy of Roman Reigns comes in. He sits there and says, ‘Acknowledge me and your Tribal Chief’, but once you acknowledge him, he just looks at you as someone else I’m responsible for.”