Zack Snyder's upcoming Netflix movie Rebel Moon is reportedly a two-part epic. Netflix got into business with the popular director following his departure from the DC Extended Universe. Zack Snyder has already started a new cinematic universe with Army of the Dead, but his love of sci-fi and world-building has brought Rebel Moon to the streaming service as another potentially massive franchise. The movie is based on Snyder's pitched Star Wars film that Lucasfilm passed on, which follows a young woman, played by Sofia Boutella, who becomes the face of a rising resistance against the galaxy's conquerors.
Announced in 2021, Zack Snyder has spent the last year getting Rebel Moon ready for filming to begin this spring. Boutella was the first person to join the movie's cast, where she'll play a mysterious young woman assembling warriors from other planets to fight back. Snyder has also found another talented ensemble to work with Boutella on his original sci-fi film. Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Rupert Friend, and Stuart Martin joined the cast later on, as did Ray Fisher, who worked with Snyder in the DCEU as Cyborg. Just as Rebel Moon prepares to start production, it's now being reported that Snyder's plans are even bigger than a single film.
A recent report from THR noted that Snyder and Netflix are reportedly planning to split Rebel Moon into two movies. The outlet specifically referred to the eventual two-part releases as "two epic features." Production is scheduled to begin this month and last through November. It is not known when Netflix plans to release either part of Rebel Moon. There is also a chance that spinoffs will happen at Netflix if Rebel Moon's two-part release performs well. The news came as the outlet also revealed Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Michiel Huisman, and Alfonso Herrera joined the cast.
The plan for Rebel Moon to be split into two movies is an early indication of the epic scope that Snyder's sci-fi movie has. He's previously compared the film to the opening sequence of Man of Steel on Krypton, as well as the works of Akira Kurosawa and the Star Wars movies. Snyder has only shared a few glimpses of his plans for Rebel Moon, though, as several pieces of concept art have been used to tease the story and visuals.
It isn't too surprising that Snyder is turning Rebel Moon from a single movie into a two-part epic for Netflix. The streaming service is desperate for more franchises, and Snyder is known for giving his movies expanded runtimes. If he was able to film a four-hour cut of Justice League during production, a six-month filming schedule should give him plenty of material for two movies. It will now be fascinating to see how long each of Snyder's movies are when both parts are released, and how Netflix plans to title the first one. Rebel Moon could stick, but Rebel Moon Part 1 might also be chosen to let subscribers know more is on the way.
Source: THR