When fans heard about a reboot of NBC's Heroes, all they wanted was Hiro.
They didn't have to wait long. Masi Oka signed on early to Heroes Reborn, reprising the role that made him famous.
Heroes was a game-changer. Oka already had film credits through his job at George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic as a digital-effects artist when he sought out acting. His technical credits were impressive: the Star Wars prequels, The Perfect Storm and Hulk, to name a few. Just a few years into his acting career, he got the part of Hiro. His character was an immediate hit.
On Thursday night, the fan favorite comes home in one of the most anticipated and promoted moments of Reborn, a 13-episode miniseries that's more of a continuation of its predecessor than a stand-alone series.
Time-hopping teleporter Hiro Nakamura and his friend Ando quickly became a favorite story line in the original series, in part because they were stand-ins for the show's wide-eyed fans.
The Reborn story line involves Miko, who wields a magical sword that allows her to enter a video game, and her friend Ren, mirroring the Japanese duo.
"I think the whole idea was that Hiro was supposed to represent the everyman," Oka said. "I think a lot of parallels are being made to the original. I know Ren and Miko was meant to be this incarnation of Hiro and Ando, probably with the roles reversed."
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Oka's delight in playing Hiro -- he was actually named "Coolest Geek" at an awards show during the Heroes run -- shined through his performance. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal.
His pre-acting goal of winning an Oscar for technical work on a motion picture has morphed into a dream to win one for the arts, too. That would be just more notches on an already-nicked belt that includes being part of an a cappella group in college; founder of an independent gaming company that just introduced Beacon 38, a mobile game; a role as medical examiner Dr. Max Bergman on CBS' Hawaii Five-O; movie and TV producer; and writer.
"I was actually ready to give up acting in 2006 when Heroes came," he said. "It's about being flexible in thought and being open to exploration and discovery to me. I just love doing everything. I like all aspects of the entertainment industry."
Oka even has a favorite iteration in a show that allows him to play several versions of the same character.
"I like the present Hiro just because of his humor," he says. "It's definitely more who I am. Future Hiro is a lot more mature and cooler."
Thursday night will bring yet another Hiro, reborn for a new generation of fans.
Heroes Reborn
7 p.m. Thursdays, KXAS-TV (NBC5). 1 hr.
