The Mind-Blowing Secrets Behind Rebel Moon Revealed by the Concept Artist

Summary

Rebel Moon sets itself apart from Star Wars by exploring darker and more mature themes, appealing to the adults who grew up loving the franchise.

The movie explores the war-ravaged elements of the Star Wars galaxy, moving beyond the depiction of violence and death in the original narratives. Rebel Moon blends fantasy and Western genres to deliver a more sophisticated and compelling storytelling experience, surpassing the widespread appeal of Star Wars.

Concept artist and co-owner of 9B Collective, Mike Uwandi, sheds light on the distinctions between Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon and Star Wars, the original space epic that served as its inspiration. Despite Snyder's initial rejection when proposing the project as part of the Star Wars universe, he now crafts a two-part original sci-fi saga for Netflix. The film centers around Kora, a former soldier in a corrupt government that reigns over the universe. Yearning for redemption, she unites a diverse group of warriors from various corners of the galaxy to confront her former army and safeguard the moon Veldt and its inhabitants.

In a special interview with Screen Rant for Blue Beetle, Uwandi delves into his involvement in Rebel Moon. He elaborates on how the movie distinguishes itself from George Lucas' Star Wars and alludes to the stories that inspired the iconic franchise, as well as the darker undertones present in Rebel Moon.

Mike Uwandi believes that the content strongly leads to Zack. In terms of tone, it serves as an ode to some of the darker Star Wars stories, but it also draws inspiration from a wider range of sources. Even just from what we saw in the trailer, it is evident that it references not only Star Wars but also the things that Star Wars itself referenced. As a result, there is a touch of fantasy involved, and it is more evident compared to Star Wars, which does a decent job of veering off the beaten path. However, that is all that can be said at this point.

(Note: The piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it is worth acknowledging that the movie being discussed would not have been possible without the efforts of the writers and actors in both unions.)

How Rebel Moon's Darker Tone Can The Universe Differentiate It From Star Wars

Star Wars has evolved into a massive franchise, encompassing numerous movies, animated series, and live-action shows. Throughout its history, the stories have become more mature, consistently highlighting themes of war and rebellion against a corrupt government. However, at its core, Star Wars was always intended for a younger audience. Although projects like Andor offer a darker perspective, the franchise largely appeals to families as a whole.

Rebel Moon has the opportunity to distinguish itself by delving into darker themes and emphasizing the war-ravaged aspect of the Star Wars universe. While violence, torture, and death exist in the Star Wars world, Rebel Moon can take it further by implementing a simple change. This alteration would have a ripple effect across Snyder's expanding franchise. By catering to the adult fans who grew up loving Star Wars, Rebel Moon can provide a story that has matured alongside them, delving into the consequences of war that Star Wars isn't fully able to explore.

Rebel Moon appears to be embracing elements of fantasy and Western genres, which are prominent in the Star Wars franchise. However, it has the opportunity to delve deeper into a more mature aspect of these genres. The influence of Star Wars is evident, with Snyder introducing his own interpretation of lightsabers, creating a connection to the Andor series. The film promises to explore the consequences of Kora's actions and her desire for redemption, as she seeks to absolve herself from the guilt of killing numerous innocent individuals under a corrupt government. While Star Wars has touched on dark characters and storylines, it has always maintained a certain level of restraint, unlike Rebel Moon, which has the freedom to fully embrace these elements.