Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder surprises fans by announcing that his upcoming space opera movie does not depict the moon discussed in the title. Following his collaboration with Netflix for Army of the Dead, Snyder partners with the streaming platform once again for his thrilling two-part science-fiction masterpiece Rebel Moon. The story revolves around Kora (played by Sofia Boutella), who embarks on a journey across various planets to recruit fighters to confront a tyrannical dictator.
As the release date of Rebel Moon draws near, Snyder discloses to Empire magazine's August 2023 issue that the featured celestial body mentioned in the title is absent in the first two installments of the franchise. This bold decision showcases Snyder's confidence in the expansive narrative he has crafted, reserving the moon's appearance for a potential third film. Read the director's remark below:
"The Rebel Moon is not the celestial body they currently reside on. While the title was merely a concept, there exists a planet named Vanna, which is actually the rebellious moon. Astonishingly, this moon is not even depicted in a single scene of this film!"
Will Snyder's Rebel Moon Become A Major Franchise?
Having expressed his intention to transform Rebel Moon into both a television series and a trilogy of films, Snyder's ambitious vision has been met with approval. While only two movies have been confirmed so far, Netflix's unwavering faith in the director and his creative concepts has led them to invest a staggering $166 million in the production of these films. This substantial financial commitment is not solely based on the strength of Snyder's pitch, but rather a testament to his previous success in generating substantial viewership for Netflix.
Although Army of the Dead didn't make it to the top 10 most-viewed Netflix original movies, it still garnered impressive viewership numbers. Within its first 28 days on the platform, the film was watched for over 186 million hours. This success prompted the greenlighting of a direct sequel in 2021. Director Snyder recently discussed the status of Army of the Dead 2, stating that its expansion will depend on the fate of Rebel Moon. Evidently, Netflix is enthusiastic about maintaining its collaboration with Snyder.
The determining factor for the future expansion of the Rebel Moon franchise will primarily be viewership. Considering that Rebel Moon is a space adventure suitable for all audiences (with R-rated versions to come later), it is highly probable that it will surpass the viewership of the graphic and mature-focused Army of the Dead. If Rebel Moon achieves the desired viewership levels that Netflix is anticipating, it is very likely that Snyder will have the opportunity to create a third film, and possibly even a television series.
Source: Empire, August 2023