'The Killer's Game' Interview: Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella

Moviefone speaks with Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella about 'The Killer's Game'. "I loved it because it was a rom com disguised as an action film," Bautista said.

Opening in theaters on September 13th is the new action-comedy ‘The Killer’s Game’, which was directed by J.J. Perry (‘Day Shift’).

The film stars Dave Bautista (‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’), Sofia Boutella (‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’), Terry Crews (‘Deadpool 2’), Pom Klementieff (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’), Scott Adkins (‘John Wick: Chapter 4’), and Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kinsley (‘Ghadhi’ and ‘Iron Man 3’).

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(L to R) Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella star in 'The Killer's Game'. Photo: Lionsgate.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella to talk about their work on 'The Killer's Game’, their first reaction to the screenplay, their characters, the action, the romance, and working with Sir Ben Kingsley.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Bautista, Boutella and director J.J. Perry.

Dave Bautista in 'The Killer's Game'. Photo: Lionsgate.

Moviefone: To begin with, Dave, what was your first reaction to reading the screenplay and having the opportunity to play a character that's different than anything we've seen you play before.

Dave Bautista: The first reaction would've been years and years ago, and I loved it right off the bat because I thought it was like a rom com disguised as an action film. At that time, I really didn't want to do action films. I just wanted to pursue interesting action roles, and this would've been something new for me. So, I was really excited about it. I thought it was fun. It's something I've been really searching for. A couple years ago, I made a conscious decision to stop, not to stop, but to really limit my supporting roles because I felt like if I keep accepting supporting roles, I'm not going to get leading roles. So, I had to really start searching and holding out for leading roles. This is kind of that first leading man, almost cliche leading man, where I just kick ass and I get the girl. So, it was like, "Hey, it's a new venture for me." I was nervous about it. I was self-conscious about it. I'm still nervous about it, and I hope people receive it. But I had so much fun doing it, and I’m very proud of it. It was a great learning experience and hopefully the first of many.

MF: Sofia, can you talk about your approach to playing Maize and how your dancing background prepared you to play this character?

Sofia Boutella: First, I always say that my dancing background helps me with anything I do in my life and even in things that aren't physical because of how I think about projects and the physicality, just the discipline of what I must execute, period. But I was really attracted to working with David, and to be in an action film where I don't do any action and just fall in love on screen. I've never played a character that is that soft and that just has romance in her life. I haven't got a chance to explore that. So, I'm happy that I got a chance to do that and dance again, which I was terrified about because I haven't done it in a long time.

(L to R) Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella in 'The Killer's Game'. Photo: Lionsgate.

MF: Sofia, can you talk about the relationship between Joe and Maize and what was it like playing those romantic scenes on screen with Dave?

SB: I loved it. I just loved how much of an introvert he was and how much Maize wants to get it out of him. I think she sees through the facade, and she finds that tenderness very appealing because he's just so imposing and he's just so tough and big, but then she sees the softness inside of him. So, this was fun for me and to play also just such a giddy character. When you get to the place where he's breaking her heart. You don't expect him to do that, and she knows that he's not capable of that. So, it's all very confusing. But all of that was very fun.

MF: Dave, can you talk about shooting the action sequences and what it was like working with director J.J. Perry, who is a former stunt coordinator himself?

DB: It was great, and I say that because we were so limited on time shooting this film. Because J.J. understands action so well, it just made it easy for me. Also, we didn't have the luxury of going in and rehearsing action sequences for weeks like I did on Bond (‘Spectre’). I rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed and over rehearsed. With this, a lot of times it was coming to set, and because J.J. is so experienced in this, he knows exactly what he needs. So, we just need these few beats, and we need these few beats, and then we need these few beats. So, it's stuff that I could learn just very fast, right there on the day. Which it just wouldn't have worked if we had some money, less experience, it just wouldn't have worked because we had 42 days to shoot this whole film and a lot of stuff. A lot of times we had two units running at once because he knew exactly what he needed, and he's so prepared. He just made it very easy. I mean, it just wouldn't have worked without J.J.

Sir Ben Kingsley in 'The Killer's Game'. Photo: Lionsgate.

MF: Dave, what is it like having Sir Ben Kingsley as a scene partner?

DB: It was nerve-racking, man. It was intimidating as you'd imagine, for me, especially because I've got such a chip on my shoulder to prove myself as an actor. I want to feel like I deserve to be there, sharing scenes with Sir Ben. It's very validating for me. But at the same time, the energy was very different when Sir Ben was on set. That's the thing. It's just such a respect factor. The energy doesn't change because he is intentionally trying to be intimidating or he's high maintenance. It's just the respect factor and they love him and respect him so much. So, everybody just wants to cater to him, and it always comes from a good place. But he's just such a sweet, loving human being, which makes it even more like you just want to give him all that respect.

MF: Finally, Sofia, what was your experience like working with Sir Ben Kingsley?

SB: Everybody was nervous the day he came on set. Everybody was like, "He's here. Remember, call him sir." No, it was an honor, really. When you see the body of work that he has and how talented he is, and the charisma that comes with his presence is monumental. But he was also very sweet, very kind, and chill. But he is Sir Ben Kingsley.