Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire: On the red carpet with Zack Snyder, Sofia Boutella and the co-stars

Despite the freezing temperatures, the London premiere for Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire at the BFI Imax was a dazzling affair. The Upcoming had the chance to speak with the star-studded cast of visionary director Zack Snyder’s (Watchmen, 300, Man of Steel, Justice League) original sci-fi epic. Co-written with Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten, Snyder’s space opera takes its cues from the sci-fi oeuvre of yesteryear, such as Star Wars, plunging its audience into an intergalactic universe. Boasting an eclectic ensemble cast including Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Michel Huisman and Ed Skrein, it charts the tale of Kora, a dauntless former soldier of the Imperium, as she forges alliances across the stars to defy the impending onslaught.

Boutella told us about taking on the role of Kora, detailing her extensive preparation involving training, diet and research. She worked closely with Snyder to develop her complex character, finding Kora’s rhythm and overcoming personal judgments. Boutella also related to Kora’s themes of belonging and freedom, drawing parallels with her own experiences as an immigrant.

Michiel Huisman stopped to chat about playing Gunnar, a humble farmer in Rebel Moon, and the character’s relatability. He praised Snyder’s passion and expertise in world-building and geekiness, including using vintage lenses. Highlights included ensemble camaraderie and horse-riding challenges. Huisman reflected on sci-fi as a genre resonant with hope and community themes. 

Skrein expressed his eagerness to work with Snyder, citing the filmmaker’s skill in epic world-building, and how he learned valuable lessons from such directors, praising their humanity and supportive nature. Despite the challenging shoot for the movie, Skrein’s respect for Snyder drove him to persevere. He also noted the film’s vast sets and intense action sequences, while discussing the mythological significance of an in-world artifact.

Ray Fisher shared his reflections on playing Darren Bloodaxe, praising Snyder’s vision and the film’s uniqueness. He emphasised his character’s appeal, the extensive training and the camaraderie on set. Fisher highlighted the sci-fi genre’s escapism and its reflection of contemporary themes.

Tom Holkenborg spoke about his role as composer, expressing pride in the ethereal soundtrack that reflects characters’ stories in the sci-fi epic. He praised his decade-long collaboration with Snyder, in particular their drive for excellence. Holkenborg also shared anticipation for seeing the final visual effects at the London premiere and briefly mentioned the long journey to completing Mad Max.

E Duffy chatted about her role as Millius in Rebel Moon, a film rich in diverse worlds and cultures, and her excitement for her first red carpet experience. She praised her character’s courage and faith, the boundless imagination of Snyder and how she relished the production’s grand scale and strong female presence. 

Staz Nair gave us some insight into what audiences can expect from the movie, describing it as a rich, emotional journey through new worlds centred on underdog heroes seeking redemption. He shared his admiration for Snyder, his preparation for playing Tarak, and the intense bonding experience with the cast through rigorous training, all contributing to an epic tale of individual growth and collective struggle.

Stuart Martin further spoke about his role as Den, a peaceful hunter from Veldt, giving credit to Snyder’s passion and creative vision. He highlighted the film’s epic scale, challenging desert shoots and the themes of war and rebellion.

Djimon Hounsou discussed the movie’s epic writing by Snyder and its reflection of African geopolitical struggles. He described his intense preparation for his role as General Titus, including military training, and teased the anticipation for the sequel.

Zack and Deborah Snyder discussed the influences for this movie, reflecting on Zack’s childhood inspiration from Star Wars and his ambition to create a unique sci-fi epic. They emphasised empathy and redemption in the film’s characters, the abstraction of reality in sci-fi and the tenacity behind the project’s long-term development, celebrating its unique existence.

Sarah Bradbury

Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire is released on Netflix on 22^nd December 2023.

Watch the trailer for Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire here: