Peter Jackson’s newest blockbuster hope is the sprawling dystopian YA sci-fi of Mortal Engines. Set in a desolate, steampunk inspired future where cities are now huge monoliths on wheels fueled by huge engines, the film follows our hero Hester and her ragtag crew of accomplices as they attempt to stop the nefarious Thaddeus Valentine, the head of London’s Guild of Historians. Recently our very own Markeia McCarty sat down with the cast and writer of the movie to chat about the massive scope, dangerous stunts, and the motivations of the film’s terrifying villains.

Jihae Kim and Hera Hilmar both trained extensively for their roles, and during their chat with Markeia they share some of the horror stories from that training. Hilmar plays the lead character Hester, and casting her was an immense responsibility, but writer Philippa Boyens shared that as soon as they saw Hilmar’s tape there was no other choice for their vicious, passionate, and vengeful lead.

If you enjoy some villains with your dystopia we also have you covered, as Hugo Weaving and Stephen Lang told Markeia about their unexpected influences and the machinations and motivations of what drives their duplicitous duo. If you want to find out more about this unique new entry into the grim-future canon then check out our video, and you can catch Mortal Engines at your local movie theater right now!

Have you experienced the city-on-city violence of Mortal Engines yet? Which major capital on wheels would you root for? Let us know in comments.

Images: Universal