Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon: A Tribute to Heavy Metal and Fantasy

The Influence of Heavy Metal on Rebel Moon

Zack Snyder's newest Netflix movie, Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire, has been the subject of much discussion and comparison, particularly to Star Wars and Warhammer 40k. However, it is the obscure 1980s illustrated fantasy magazine and animated movie, Heavy Metal, that has had a profound impact on the film's aesthetic and storytelling. Rebel Moon follows the story of a small farming community that must rally a team of warriors to defend against the might of the Imperium, drawing strong influences from Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and featuring characters and aesthetics inspired by a range of properties from Excalibur to Conan the Barbarian. While the comparisons to Star Wars are inevitable, the true inspiration behind Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon lies in the pages of Heavy Metal.

Zack Snyder with Logan, Heavy Metal, and SWAT

Snyder attributes a significant portion of Rebel Moon's style to Heavy Metal, an adult illustrated fantasy magazine that emerged in 1977, the same year as the release of Star Wars. Unlike traditional narratives, Heavy Metal was a collection of science fiction and fantasy comics featuring renowned writers and artists such as Mobius, H.R. Giger, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Frank Frezetta. The magazine also spawned two animated movies, with the 1981 release being the more widely recognized. This magazine and its animated adaptation have been a key influence on Rebel Moon, shaping its visual identity and narrative direction. Snyder has openly acknowledged the impact of Heavy Metal on his latest project, emphasizing the magazine's significance in molding the film's unique style and tone.

Heavy Metal

The Heavy Metal magazine, with its adult-oriented content and fantastical themes, provided a platform for visionary artists and writers to explore uncharted territories of science fiction and fantasy. Its impact on the entertainment industry, particularly on creators like Zack Snyder, has been substantial, as evidenced by the thematic and visual parallels between Rebel Moon and the spirit of Heavy Metal. The magazine's legacy is evident in the film's logo and the evocative poster featuring Kora riding the Benuu and brandishing a sword, paying homage to the iconic imagery associated with Heavy Metal. It is clear that Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire is a testament to the enduring influence of Heavy Metal on contemporary storytelling and visual artistry.

Rebel Moon Part 1 Interview: Zack Snyder On Inspiration From Star Wars & Heavy Metal Magazines

The Legacy of Heavy Metal and its Cinematic Influence

The impact of Heavy Metal extends beyond its pages, transcending into the realm of cinema and leaving an indelible mark on the creative landscape. The illustrated fantasy magazine, founded in the same year as the release of Star Wars, offered a unique platform for artists and writers to showcase their boundary-pushing works in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. The magazine's influence was further solidified through its animated adaptations, with the 1981 movie featuring an ensemble cast of iconic voices, including John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, and Harold Ramis.

Still from the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal.

Despite facing challenges in recent years and ultimately ceasing publication in July 2023, Heavy Metal's impact on popular culture and artistic expression continues to resonate. Its fusion of adult-oriented storytelling, vivid imagery, and boundary-pushing narratives has left an enduring legacy, inspiring a generation of creators and filmmakers to explore the limitless possibilities of the fantasy and science fiction genres. Zack Snyder's acknowledgment of Heavy Metal's influence on his work serves as a testament to the magazine's enduring impact and its role in shaping the visual and narrative landscape of contemporary cinema.

Guillermo Del Toro

Unrealized Visions: The Heavy Metal Project and its Spiritual Successor

The influence of Heavy Metal on the entertainment industry extends beyond individual projects, as evidenced by the unrealized visions of a third Heavy Metal movie in the late 2000s. The ambitious project, which would have been produced by David Fincher and James Cameron, aimed to present an anthology of 3D animated segments from various creators, with notable figures such as Zack Snyder, Guillermo del Toro, Gore Verbinski, and Tim Miller being considered to direct segments. Although the project never materialized, it laid the groundwork for future endeavors, including the production of Love, Death & Robots on Netflix by David Fincher and Tim Miller.

A scene with a woman on a creature from Heavy Metal.

Zack Snyder's alignment with the spirit of Heavy Metal and his involvement in projects inspired by the magazine's ethos, such as Rebel Moon and Sucker Punch, underscores the enduring influence of Heavy Metal on contemporary creators. While the envisioned Heavy Metal movie did not come to fruition, its legacy lives on through the creative endeavors of filmmakers and artists who continue to draw inspiration from the magazine's boundary-pushing narratives and visually captivating storytelling. The parallels between the unrealized Heavy Metal project and subsequent ventures, including Love, Death & Robots, highlight the lasting impact of the magazine's visionary spirit on the evolution of cinematic storytelling and artistic expression.

Unrealized Visions: The Heavy Metal Project and its Spiritual Successor