'Really proud and excited' - Charlie Hunnam opens up about starring in Rebel Moon

Virgin Radio

7 Dec 2023, 13:54

Charlie Hunnam visited Virgin Radio to talk about his role in the epic new movie, Rebel Moon Part One: A Child Of Fire.

Joining the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch, the Sons of Anarchy star explained the premise of the new space opera, which is out on Netflix on Friday 22nd December. He told Chris: “We're several hundred years, maybe a couple of thousand years into the future. The timeframe is non nonspecific, but we have become a multi-planet species. But unfortunately, we have not evolved out of some of the elements of the human condition that plague us now. And so there’s still warfare, but it's happening on an intergalactic level, and there's scarcity of resources.”

The film sees Kora (Sofia Boutella), a former member of the Imperium who seeks redemption for her past, task herself to recruit warriors from across the galaxy to make a stand against the evil ruling forces. “This ruling party, that she used to be part of, come and try to take more than their equitable share, they pick a fight with the wrong girl. 

Charlie plays Kai, “a lovable rogue” who he says is “on the edges of the intergalactic society”.

He continued: “He decides he's going to help, seemingly motivated by a little altruism and maybe he fancies her a little bit. Maybe he pities them and thinks that this is a rather foolish endeavour that they've embarked upon.”

The actor added that “maybe you’ll see his true intention” at the end of the movie.

Regarding the warriors that team up to take on the baddies, the star said: “I think the idea was that we all originated from Earth, that most of us are in somewhat homosapien form, that have gone off and populated other planets. And as the overarching authority has taken hold, each of those planets have become compromised. So, we all have different but, along the similar theme, of our homes and freedom being compromised, and, and we decide it's time to come together and bring the fight to the bad man.

“I got to fly a spaceship, which was very exciting. It’s harder than you think!” 

Rebel Moon is a two-part story, with the second instalment set for release in April next year.  They are both directed by Zack Snyder, known for ‘Man Of Steel and Army Of The Dead. Charlie said: “We built a lot of sets. A lot of it was actually real. But then the backdrops were all rendered after the fact. It's interesting, we've seen a lot of space at this point, or a lot of filmmakers’ versions of space, it’s kind of difficult to re-imagine that and make it singular and feel original. And I was really proud and excited when I finally saw the film and that was revealed, because obviously we didn't see any of that on the day. And I thought Zack did a really beautiful job in just that world creation, and it did feel as though we were getting a glimpse into worlds that we hadn't seen before.”

He added: “I had been watching Zack for years and just thinking he was just truly a real artist and so sincere about the work he does. I think because he works in a very big scope, sometimes that kind of gets lost and, honestly, I think he got lost a little bit just how pure his process is and how much he truly lives for the opportunity to bring these worlds to life for us.

The actor was discovered for his role in Byker Grove whilst on a shopping trip. Read what he told Chris about it here.

Rebel Moon (Part One) is on Netflix from Friday 22nd December.

For more great interviews listen to  The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.