Celestial Revelations: Rebel Moon Star Staz Nair Dishes on the Breathtaking Showcase Flight Scene and the Terrifying Twist That Kept Him on Edge

In every Zack Snyder film, there are specific sequences that even his harshest critics find commendable, and in the context of Rebel Moon, Staz Nair experiences what may be the most stirring one.

'Rebel Moon' star Staz Nair

Nair, known for his earlier prominent role as a Dothraki warrior in the later seasons of Game of Thrones, now embodies the character of Tarak. Tarak, a former prince who has lost his way for reasons that will be revealed in Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver and the extended R-rated director's cuts of both films. The audience is introduced to the enslaved Tarak at Hickman's (Ray Porter) ranch on Neu-Wodi, where Kora (Sofia Boutella) and Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) seek to enlist him in their newfound rebellion against Admiral Noble's (Ed Skrein) hostile takeover of their Veldt farming village.

To settle his debt to Hickman and secure his freedom, Tarak is tasked with taming a wild Bennu. Unbeknownst to Hickman, Tarak shares a significant history with the mythical bird-like creature from his home planet. The outcome is the awe-inspiring "Flight of the Bennu" sequence, not only granting Tarak his freedom but also offering him a shot at redemption alongside Kora and her rebel companions.

In discussing the role with The Hollywood Reporter, Nair revealed, "When I did the audition with Zack, I said, ‘Zack, I feel like Tarak is talking to himself as much as he’s talking to the bird.’ So I think the bird represents a life long gone. It’s another tether to his homeworld, and when he gets the opportunity to free the bird, he gets an opportunity to free himself, literally and metaphorically. So the symbiosis between himself and the bird is not just because they’re from the same planet; it’s because they’re in the same position.”

Zack Snyder's films, from Gerard Butler in 300 to Henry Cavill in Man of Steel, have consistently emphasized physical fitness. Accordingly, the Rebel Moon cast underwent demanding training sessions, fostering a genuine camaraderie. Interestingly, a significant story point became a source of anxiety among the cast. (This serves as a second spoiler warning.)

In spite of Charlie Hunnam's character Kai putting forth efforts to assist Kora and Gunnar in forming a rebel team for Veldt, the self-proclaimed "opportunist" was covertly delivering them to Noble’s Motherworld forces, similar to the actions of Lando (Billy Dee Williams) and DJ (Benicio del Toro) in the Star Wars franchise. However, Kai’s betrayal ultimately resulted in his demise, as Gunnar exhibited courage when it was most crucial. The unavoidable loss of Kai and, by extension, Hunnam, had a significant impact on the cast to the extent that they would jest about Kai having a twin brother in the hope of retaining Hunnam.

The team joked about the possibility that in the extended cut, there might be a line where [Kai] says, ‘Well, if you think I’m handsome, you should see my twin brother,' Nair reveals. So we formed this wonderful bond collectively. Some of the actors even attended my wedding. Charlie and I genuinely got along very well... And so [Kai’s betrayal] was genuinely disheartening. I know everyone says, ‘Oh, the cast is amazing! I love them! They’re the best! We really bonded,’ but I know it reflects in our behind-the-scenes... and in the relationships that exist on screen.

Staz Nair as Tarak in Rebel Moon

In the teaser trailer for Rebel Moon, there are glimpses of Tarak participating in a royal funeral and screaming on a battlefield in full costume. Nair confirms that these yet-to-be-seen moments will be featured in Part Two, rather than the extended cut of Part One.

Part One represents one side of the coin, and those little snippets will undoubtedly be revealed in Part Two, Nair explains. As frustrating as it may be and as tempting as it is to view it narrowly, Netflix chose to present two Snyder Cuts by dividing the story in half. Part One constitutes [one-quarter] of the entire narrative. All those aspects will be elucidated and comprehended in the second part, particularly in the extended versions of both. This is expected to provide people with a profound understanding of the ascent and descent of Tarak, from where he began to where he has concluded.

In a spoiler conversation with case, Nair also delves into how he was on the brink of homelessness when the opportunity to portray Qhono in Game of Thrones came his way. He further explains the legitimate reason behind him licking a rock on the Neu-Wodi ranch set of Rebel Moon.