From directorDavid Yates, the action-adventure epicThe Legend of Tarzanpicks up with John Clayton, the man once known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), after he’s left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life with his beloved wife, Jane (Margot Robbie). When he is invited back to the Congo under the guise of being a guest of Parliament, Tarzan quickly learns that he is a pawn in a murderous plot of greed and revenge that was masterminded by the King of Belgium’s envoy, Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), and he will stop at nothing to protect those that he loves.
During a conference at the film’s press day, filmmaker David Yates was joined by co-stars Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson and Djimon Hounsou to talk about what attracted them to this version of theTarzanstory, their previous familiarity with the character, preparing for the physical aspects of the role, acting opposite CGI animals, why there’s no loin cloth, and the Tarzan call. From the interview, we’ve compiled a list of 15 things that you should know aboutThe Legend of Tarzan.
When Skarsgård got to London, about a month and a half prior to shooting, he worked with choreographer Wayne McGregor, which he greatly enjoyed. He also worked with Skarsgård and Robbie on trust exercises and games, and they would recreate moments for how they met that aren’t in the movie. It helped them to build their relationship, off camera, because they’re separated so early on.
Djimon Hounsou, who plays Mbonga, the Chief of the Mbolonga tribe, thought the relationship between his character and Tarzan was very profound. And he also responded to the great respect for animals. He said, “We are social beings and we should all be ashamed to die, unless we have made some major contribution to human society and animals, as well.”
The Legend of Tarzanopens in theaters on July 1st.
