We live in interesting times — times tailor made for science fiction and genre fare to take center stage in a big way. Like giant-gorilla-levels of big. Of course, it’s no secret that some of our favorite movies here at Nerdist are often parables for our present or possible future, and there are many ways you could relate some of the themes of Kong: Skull Island to our modern times. (I, for one, can’t seem to rid my backyard of skullcrawlers no matter WHAT I do. Frankly it’s exhausting.) So when we had the opportunity to talk to the cast — all major genre players in their own right — we had to ask them about working in that sort of environment.

Naturally, the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Toby Kebbell, and Jason Mitchell had a lot of interesting, thoughtful things to say on the matter and how they help us relate to our own humanity more. But don’t just take our word for it. Watch the video above and see for yourself.

Kong: Skull Island hits theaters Friday, March 10th. Are you going to check it out? Let us know in the comments below.

Images: Universal Studios/Legendary Pictures

Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor of Nerdist and creator/co-host of Fangirling! Find her on Twitter.

And if you’re looking for more Kong goodness, here are the monsters the cast want to see him battle next:

Disclaimer: Nerdist is a part of the Legendary Digital Networks, which is owned in part by Legendary Entertainment