As a fan of Sofia Boutella‘s work, I must say that her performance in Rebel Moon was nothing short of mesmerizing. The way she portrayed Kora’s complex character, struggling with her inner demons and the powerful Arthelais, was truly captivating. It felt as if we were witnessing a real-life struggle, a battle between good and evil, all played out on the big screen.
After finding herself in need of some respite from action-packed roles, Sofia Boutella found solace in the less action-oriented project, “The Killer’s Game,” directed by J.J. Perry
Following a full year in 2022 devoted to the challenging physical role of Kora/Arthelais in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon series, Boutella was grateful for a change of pace when it came to Perry’s action-comedy. Instead of carrying the main action hero responsibilities, she found herself drawn to the romantic role that was presented to her, alongside her previous co-star from Hotel Artemis, Dave Bautista. Given that her character in Rebel Moon didn’t have much luck with romance, the more optimistic love story of The Killer’s Game may have been particularly appealing to her
In the initial scene, the Algerian actress’s physicality remains prominent, as her role, Maize, is a retiring ballet dancer who encounters Bautista’s character, Joe Flood, played by him
“Boutella shared a chuckle with The Hollywood Reporter, expressing that he relished the experience of being part of an action movie without performing any actual action scenes. Although he’s known for action films, he’s aiming to diversify his roles. Thus, it was refreshing to remain within this genre without engaging in action. It felt somewhat similar to his role in Atomic Blonde.”
After bonding on the makeup trailer during their time together on Hotel Artemis, Boutella and Bautista continued to stay connected. In fact, when Snyder was planning for Rebel Moon, Bautista spoke highly of Boutella. Moreover, when Boutella’s schedule conflicted with The Killer’s Game due to its mid-production strike, Bautista refused to consider any other options and worked tirelessly to ensure that Boutella could still play Maize in The Killer’s Game, which was filmed during the strike-ridden summer of 2023 under a SAG-AFTRA temporary agreement
Regarding the future of “Rebel Moon,” no definitive decisions have been made so far. However, the likelihood of Zack Snyder’s multi-film plan seems uncertain following Netflix’s recent leadership change. Netflix is currently the only platform to defy Wall Street’s downgrading of streaming in summer 2022, but there are clear indications that it’s moving towards making fewer and fewer large-scale productions like its competitors in the streaming industry
Regardless, Boutella provides insights about where Kora/Arthelais was heading, suggesting her path was leading towards becoming a new “Redeemer.” As a child, she was abducted and taken in by the malevolent Imperium, but found solace in the legend of the first Princess Issa, who was revered as “The Redeemer.” Under the guidance of her adoptive father Balisarius, Arthelais grew to be an exceptional soldier. However, she was tricked into killing the current Princess Issa by her father for personal gain. This tragic act marked the beginning of Arthelais’ long journey towards redemption, even though we may not witness its conclusion on screen
Absolutely, Boutella confirms. She suggests that Kora was indeed destined for redemption in the story. The assassination scene, where Issa forgives her, was a significant turning point. It taught Kora a great deal, enabling her to endure despite the overwhelming guilt she felt. Over time, this moment provided her with the fortitude not to succumb to self-destruction or be killed
In my latest chat with THR, I delved into the contrast between my on-screen ballet dancer persona and my real-life journey as a dancer. Additionally, I shared some insights about why I likened my Rebel Moon character to an addict
It occurred to me that I’ve spent more time watching you on screen than any other actor in the last year. Between four different Rebel Moon cuts and The Killer’s Game, that’s a little over 12 hours of Sofia Boutella.
(Laughs.) I hope you’re not sick of me!
No, never! You’ve always held the screen well.
Well, thank you.
Didn’t The Killer’s Game the first project I worked on following my almost one-year involvement with Rebel Moon? Instead, it was the one that came next in the sequence of projects I tackled
Indeed, that wasn’t the first one; instead, I took on the second project. In the interim, I worked on the second season of a TV series titled “SAS: Rogue Heroes.” It is scheduled to premiere sometime between January and February of 2025, as far as I know
Was it enjoyable for you, having fewer physically demanding scenes in ‘The Killer’s Game’, since you spent almost a year playing the roles of Kora and Arthelais so intensely, and not being solely responsible for driving the action?
Absolutely, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a blast being part of an action movie without having to perform any stunts myself. (Chuckles.) Granted, I do some dancing and even deliver a kick or two, but the main appeal was the experience itself. You see, although I’m known for action films, I’m eager to explore roles that deviate from this genre. So, it was refreshing to still be in this realm without engaging in any physical action. It reminded me of my time on Atomic Blonde, where despite the action, I took on a role different from what people usually associate with me
Corn, much like a dedicated ballerina, expresses a desire to retire due to the physical strain dance has imposed on it. Does this scenario resonate with you? Could dance be more demanding than many might think?
As a dance enthusiast, I must admit that dancing demands a significant toll on the body, both physically and mentally. It’s an all-encompassing experience that can leave you drained from every direction, and there comes a point where even the most resilient dancers may struggle to keep up. Some manage to push through, but for those with past injuries or health concerns, this challenge becomes more daunting and variable
Although Dave Bautista and you didn’t share any on-screen interactions in the movie “Hotel Artemis”, since both of you have recently been Zack Snyder’s main actors, did you utilize that connection to develop your on-screen relationship by getting to know each other better?
We talked about it a little bit. We did have one scene together in Hotel Artemis, but we did not interact with each other in that one scene. We still talked in between takes, and I thought he was a lovely man who’s very kind and gentle. We then stayed in touch through DMs throughout the years, and we talked a lot when we were about to film this, because there was a lot of scheduling and maneuvering in order for me to be able to join him. So I’m glad that we were able to make it happen, but he was always very kind and gentle, so I’m really happy to have had an opportunity to work with him.
The montage depicts the blossoming romance between Joe and Maize, suggesting you enjoyed watching Dave’s character transform into a tender giant during that part
Indeed! Dave is indeed a soft giant, which made our interaction all the more enjoyable. Joe can sometimes be reserved, but I wanted Maize to be vivacious and radiate joy to bring out his infectious smile. During their first dinner date, she encourages him to smile more, saying it complements him well. It was adorable and brought a delightful spark to our scenes together. I found it amusing to play the role of the buzzing bee that brings out his endearing qualities, creating a nice contrast with Joe’s powerful energy
Does the sentiment expressed in Dolly Parton’s quote, “Avoid getting so engrossed in earning a living that you neglect creating a life,” resonate with the main theme of this film? Have you found it necessary to keep this idea in mind during your professional journey?
Indeed, I’m incredibly fortunate to have a passion for my work that goes beyond just a job. I find immense joy in it, particularly when I’m crafting art or embodying characters on set. Every moment spent in this pursuit is cherished and not taken for granted. Interestingly, when I’m not on set, I make time to immerse myself in nature and engage in diverse activities, which are vital to me. This summer, I even tried free diving for the first time and found it incredibly meditative and soothing. This new experience was a refreshing change from my usual pursuits, yet when I returned to work, I felt that same invigorating energy as when I was free diving. The opportunity to assume different characters and personalities offers an exciting and enjoyable variation each time
Hey there! I couldn’t help but be completely blown away by your incredible performance in the Rebel Moon films. The moment Kora shouted, “Stop!” at the soldiers attacking Sam (Charlotte Maggi) inside the barn, I knew it instantly. You see, she wasn’t just commanding them; she was also appealing to their humanity because she didn’t want to have to tap into her Arthelais side again. She’s been evading that aspect of herself for years now
Indeed, I delved into an intricate region, comparing it to a person’s struggle with an addiction. They understand their predicament since they’ve never known anything else, and they find it challenging to break free from it. In my narrative, I portrayed her as having an addiction to Arthelais. She had resisted for several years, but once she allowed herself to reconnect with Arthelais again, there was no turning back. She would indulge in this aspect of herself excessively, particularly when it was fueled by animosity, guilt, and complicated emotions. To put it simply, I wrote her story as if she was trying to contain Arthelais within a bottle, but in the barn, she realized that she could no longer resist – she had to confront it
After being kidnapped in her childhood, Arthelais found solace in the tale of the first Princess Issa, known as “The Redeemer.” Given that Kora was embarking on a journey towards redemption, could it be possible that she might eventually replace the current Princess Issa as the new Redeemer?
Absolutely, I agree. The narrative revolves around redemption for everyone involved, and that moment when Issa forgave her was particularly significant for Arthelais. At first, she didn’t comprehend the impact of his forgiveness, but as time passed, it provided her with the resilience to persevere and avoid self-destructive actions despite the overwhelming guilt she felt. Choosing to be forgiven by Issa and learning about forgiveness was a challenging journey for her, but in the end, it was the path she chose
Looking back decades from now, which moment from the Rebel Moon adventure do you think will stand out most vividly in your memory?
Among numerous moments, I’m particularly drawn to the day we filmed our practical village scene in Santa Clarita, where Zack caused an uproar by destroying everything around him. Another scene that comes to mind is the initial conversation between Hagen and my character in the first movie. During this time, I was deeply immersed in understanding and portraying the essence of my character, which held great significance for me
And what about the same question for The Killer’s Game?
In the movie titled “The Killer’s Game”, I relished exploring the picturesque city of Budapest and capturing scenes at its breathtaking locations. However, I must admit that my favorite day on set was when Dave had to hoist me multiple times – it was quite amusing! (Laughs.) Overall, it was a fantastic production. In contrast to “Rebel Moon”, these two projects are vastly dissimilar
***
The Killer’s Game opens in theaters on Sept. 13.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-06 01:27