Taron Egerton’s Viral Dance Scene in “Apex” Features His Song Choice, Director Reveals (Exclusive)

Taron Egerton’s latest role as a villain in the Netflix thriller “Apex” has not only showcased his versatility as an actor but has also generated significant buzz online, particularly for a memorable dance scene that has since gone viral. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, “Apex” tells the gripping story of a widow named Sasha, portrayed by Charlize Theron, who is pursued through the Australian wilderness by Egerton’s character, Ben.

In a striking moment of the film, Ben threatens Sasha while presenting her with a peculiar ultimatum—she has until the end of a song to escape. This song, “Go” by The Chemical Brothers, becomes the backdrop as Ben erratically dances with a boombox, heightening the film’s tension. Kormákur recently revealed in an exclusive interview that this unique character trait originated from Egerton himself. The director explained, “The idea came that we’re going to have him use a song rather than wind down the clock.”

Kormákur found the concept of introducing music into such an intense setting to be unconventional, yet intriguing. He shared, “It took some time to find the right song, and then Taron brought this song, and I just loved it.” Although the decision was met with some hesitation from the crew at first, the scene ultimately delighted everyone, with Kormákur noting, “I’ve never seen the crew and his co-stars, and everyone, be that happy. Hands down, that was the right choice.”

Egerton’s portrayal of Ben is a stark contrast to many of his well-known roles, including his depiction of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in the “Kingsman” films and the iconic musician Elton John in “Rocketman”. Kormákur acknowledged that casting Egerton was a gamble due to the character’s complexity. “Charlize and I signed on at the same time, but Taron, it was a little different. The character was different on the page from what we see in the movie,” he explained.

The director recalled their initial meetings, stating that he felt this casting choice presented an interesting, albeit risky opportunity for Egerton. Kormákur aimed to delve deeper into the character’s psyche, encouraging Egerton to explore the “unhinged nervousness” and “inner creep” that lay within Ben. “We wanted to go inward and find his insecurities, and bring it from there, rather than have him act it from the outside in,” he said.

The risks taken in casting Egerton have paid off, with the actor successfully embodying a character that is both menacing and multi-dimensional. This reflects a desire from the director to present a different facet of Egerton’s acting prowess, moving beyond the charm of his previous roles to explore darker themes.

In a cheeky nod to his now-iconic dance scene, Egerton took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes snapshots from the film’s set, playfully commenting, “No dancing in these, no need to run.” This added to the growing intrigue surrounding the film and showcased his sense of humour amidst the film’s intense narrative.

“Apex” is now available for streaming on Netflix, where audiences can witness Egerton’s transformation into a threatening figure while still capturing the underlying nuances of the character. The blend of action and psychological depth offered in the film promises to engage viewers and expand Egerton’s repertoire as an actor.

With its compelling storyline, memorable characters, and unexpected moments, “Apex” has quickly made an impact, marking a significant entry into the action thriller genre. As Egerton continues to evolve in his career, this role serves as a reminder of his potential to take on challenging and diverse characters. The film’s reception and Egerton’s performance assure us that he is an actor prepared to take risks and challenge himself in new and exciting ways.