He may no longer be overseeing the DC comic book movie universe, but Zack Snyder has long since moved on from Supes and co., and especially to a big deal with Netflix, which has already borne fruit via zombie thriller ‘Army of the Dead’ and its prequel, ‘Army of Thieves’.
This year, though, will see the launch of his most ambitious project yet, a sprawling sci-fi adventure that began life as an unsuccessful pitch for a ‘Star Wars’ spin-off around the time that Disney bought Lucasfilm.
Snyder has big plans for this story, splitting it across more than one movie and looking to expand further beyond that if his fanbase (and the wider world) responds to this initial salvo –– including a video game that is now in the works –– and will be set after the two movies.
And now we have the first trailer for the first outing.
What’s the story of ‘Rebel Moon’?
Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, the reluctant hero from a peaceful colony who is about to find she’s her people’s last hope, in Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.
‘Rebel Moon’ focuses on the agricultural moon of Veldt, part of a sprawling galaxy of planets overseen by the ferocious, all-powerful Imperium which oversees the other planets from its home base of Mother World.
When Imperium forces expand out to Veldt’s local area, they target the moon as a potentially rich source of food and new recruits. But the natives, none too happy that their already struggling existence is being threatened, turns to a newcomer, Kora (Sofia Boutella) for help.
The isolated woman, who has her own past with the Imperium, knows that it would be foolish to try and negotiate a better deal with the powerful government, so she rounds up some fighters who could be of use against the might of the enemy. But keeping alliances together won’t be quite so easy…
Related Article: Director Zack Snyder Details Plans of Different Cuts for Sci-Fi Adventure ‘Rebel Moon’
Who else is in ‘Rebel Moon’?
(L to R) Charlie Hunnam as Kai, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Staz Nair as Tarak and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
Alongside Boutella, the cast also includes Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Djimon Hounsou, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Jena Malone, Anthony Hopkins (who voices a robot and narrates this first look), Fra Fee and Ed Skrein.
The trailer promises a suitably epic scope for this latest Snyder movie –– but from the sheer information overload, it’s probably a good idea that the co-writer (along with regular collaborators Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad) and director is splitting it into two movies (so far).
This first part, which we now know is called ‘A Child of Fire’, will land on Netflix’s servers in December, while we’ll only have to wait a few months for Part 2, since ‘The Scargiver’ arrives in April next year. And yes, we can certainly see the inspirations running through it, including ‘Seven Samurai’ and other team-gathering battle movies.
(L to R) Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar and Sofia Boutella as Kora on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.
Perhaps the biggest question is whether this really will prove the launchpad for a whole new universe of sci-fi movies and more. Snyder certainly has his following, and he’s done well with his Netflix movies so far. But launching a new original (mostly) story can be tough.
‘Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire’ will land on Netflix on December 22nd. Part 2, ‘Rebel Moon: The Scargiver’, is due April 19th, 2024.
(L to R) Sofia Boutella as Kora and Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.
Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix ©2023.
(L to R) Charlie Hunnam as Kai and Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix ©2023.
(L to R) Charlie Hunnam as Kai, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar and Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Chris Strother/Netflix ©2023.
Ray Fisher as Darien Bloodaxe in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix ©2023.
Doona Bae as Nemesis in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
Cleopatra Coleman as Devra Bloodaxe in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
E. Duffy as Milius in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
(L to R) Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Ed Skrein as Atticus Noble and Greg Kriek as Marcus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix ©2023.
Daggus Miners in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Chris Strother/Netflix ©2023.
(L to R) Jimmy (Performed by Dustin Ceithamer/Voiced by Anthony Hopkins) and Charlotte Maggi as Sam in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
One of the many unique characters found inhabiting the numerous planets of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix ©2023.
A scene from ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
A scene from ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.
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