Rebel Moon is the latest big-budget film from a big-name filmmaker to bypass many movie theaters to take advantage of streaming.
So, what’s the story, and why has Zack Snyder chosen to put his latest vision on the small screen?
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon: Is it a Star Wars movie?
With a name like Rebel Moon, you’d be excused for thinking it’s just another sci-fi spin-off from a galaxy far, far away, and you wouldn’t be far wrong.
Snyder offered the tale to Lucasfilm around a decade ago, just as the Disney Star Wars period was beginning, he told Empire magazine earlier this year.
But when Disney rejected Snyder’s suggestion for a more mature Star Wars picture with completely new characters, the filmmaker took his thoughts elsewhere.
He told the entertainment website Screenrant that he offered the notion to Warner Bros. and video gaming developers before settling on Netflix.
What is it if it isn’t Star Wars?
Rebel Moon is an increasingly uncommon creature: a big-budget sci-fi picture that isn’t based on an existing intellectual property.
Snyder has characterized it as “The Seven Samurai in space,” referring to Akira Kurosawa‘s classic 1954 film about a group of desperate farmers who hire the seven warriors to safeguard their harvest from raiders.
Kora (Sofia Boutella) is the film’s hero, a former member of the terrible Imperium who is hiding out on the peaceful agrarian moon of Veldt and is driven into action when the Imperium appears, threatening to seize the next crop.
Kora travels off-world to collect an army of warriors to destroy the Imperium, and the cast includes Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, and Cleopatra Coleman.
Oh, and Sir Anthony Hopkins voices a mechanical knight.
Snyder, next… Where did I get that name?
Snyder built his reputation directing hyper-stylized action pictures that people either liked or despised before launching the DC Comics counterpart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Man of Steel and Batman Vs. Superman.
His breakout second feature, 300, was followed by a live-action adaptation of the classic graphic novel Watchmen and the cult box-office failure Sucker Punch.
Oh, and he directed Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, an underappreciated computer-generated (CG) owl film that everyone seems to have forgotten about.
Snyder’s daughter, Autumn, committed suicide in 2017, as he was in the midst of post-production on the DC superhero blockbuster, Justice League.
Snyder stepped away from the project, turning over control to Joss Whedon, and spent time with his family.
Aside from a number of producer roles on DC films, Snyder remained silent until 2021, when he was given the opportunity to re-edit and distribute his version of Justice League, following a massive campaign from fans angry with Whedon’s treatment of the picture.
The next year, Snyder made Army of the Dead, which he billed as a “spiritual successor” to his debut picture, Dawn of the Dead — itself a remake of the 1978 George Romero zombie classic.
Is Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon exclusive to Netflix?
Where have you been hiding?
Over the last four years, Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, the Coen brothers, Jane Campion, David Fincher, Adam McKay, and Aaron Sorkin have all given films directly to Netflix, garnering several nominations and wins for Oscars in the process.
With a roughly $90 million budget, Snyder’s Army of the Dead was immediately launched on Netflix, but with Rebel Moon, he has extracted even more money from the streaming behemoth.
Part One: A Child of Fire is the subtitle of the movie, which is one of two films in a $170 million agreement.
Hold on, the first part?
The Scargiver, the sequel, was filmed concurrently with Part One and is scheduled for release in April 2024.
That’s not all, though. In addition to comic books, podcasts, animated short films, and other add-ons to further develop his Rebel Moon universe, Snyder has already announced plans to release two more movies after Part Two.
Additionally, he is discussing a “R-rated cut” that would allow fans to choose the level of violence in their science fiction experiences.
Will it even be shown in theaters?
Only in four locations starting on December 15: Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and London. For a week only.
In addition to providing an opportunity to view the movie on a large 70mm screen, the screenings also increase the likelihood that the movie will be nominated for an Oscar.
Even in this day of streaming content, films must play in theaters for a minimum of one week in any one of the six American cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, or Miami) in order to be eligible for an Academy Award nomination.
Also read: Examiner determines that Matthew Perry overdosed on ketamine accidentally and died. – atn24livenews
