Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon shows promise. With the release of its teaser trailer offering viewers a glimpse into a colossal universe, the anticipation grows stronger. The epic space opera has been inspired by Star Wars films and filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s creative endeavors. The sci-fi premise was initially devised as a pitch for a mature-themed Star Wars film after Disney acquired Lucasfilm.
Alas, the initiative was turned down by the production company.
Later on, Snyder’s project was picked up by Netflix. And the rest of history is unfolding right in front of our eyes. Considering that this upcoming sci-fi storyline was conceived as a mature take on George Lucas’ multimedia franchise, it makes sense for Zack Snyder to correct some of the common criticisms associated with the Star Wars universe.
One example of a recurring plot-related complaint in the franchise points to its obsession with one particular planet: Tatooine.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon Promises A Strong Narrative
The uber-positive audience reception to Rebel Moon‘s teaser trailer is a testament to its brilliance. Boasting captivating visuals and a commitment to delivering a compelling storyline, the sci-fi project shines in its Snyder-esque glory. The teaser for the epic space opera confirmed the titles of its two film installments. Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire is slated for a release later this year. Meanwhile, its follow-up, Rebel Moon: Part Two – The Scargiver, will be available for viewing in 2024.
The premise’s official synopsis states the following:
“When a colony on the edge of the galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, they dispatch a young woman with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them take a stand.”
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What has managed to capture people’s attention is the world-building that Rebel Moon seemingly encapsulates. The scale within which Zack Snyder‘s upcoming science-fantasy functions is reminiscent of grand-scale endeavors, just like Star Wars. The universe feels boundless and the scope for its exploration leaves limitless storytelling potential.
In a conversation with Screen Rant, the Batman v Superman director disclosed how Rebel Moon plans to triumph over Star Wars. Rather than relying solely on mature themes, the strategy involves rectifying an inherent flaw associated with the galactic foundation of the latter franchise.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon Will Focus On More Than One Planet
The inspiration behind Rebel Moon can be easily discerned. Given the thematic parallels it shares with George Lucas’ multi-media franchise, it’s inevitable that comparisons will emerge. However, when embarking on such ambitious pursuits, it’s important to learn from the shortcomings of what came before it.
Star Wars, although a remarkable franchise, tends to excessively depend on a single planet i.e. Tatooine as its primary backdrop. Everything seems to revolve around it and fans have often complained about this problem. Zack Snyder echoed a comparable sentiment and articulated how Rebel Moon intends to set its visual tone, culture, and aesthetic differently:
“I always laugh that in Star Wars, it just so happens that the native costumes of this weird Tatooine, this weird planet in the middle of nowhere, happen to be the fashion of the entire universe. I thought they were very particular. I guess that’s fine.”
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The director then adds:
“When you make a sci-fi movie, it’s like, “Okay, well, what is the world? What does the home planet look like? They could all be wearing neon jumpsuits and who knows. There are a million examples. It could be 1984. It could be something. I like the idea of everything is terrestrially inspired because I feel like it makes it really relatable.”
From his statements, we can infer that Rebel Moon will explore the culture of worlds beyond just a home planet. Its deliberate non-reliance on a trope that Star Wars has consistently utilized to evoke nostalgia will prove beneficial for its post-release reception. Variety will be what sets apart Zack Snyder’s sci-fi space opera from similar endeavors.
Interestingly enough, the first film is set to introduce eight different worlds, namely, Toa, Veldt, Neu Wodi, Pollux, Daggus, Sharoan, Gondeval, and Vanna. We can conclude that Snyder is designing a premise that extends beyond the confines of a single world, delving into a wide expanse of diverse planets, thereby pushing the boundaries of cinematic world-building to new horizons.
With so much to see and explore, it’s only a waiting game now.
Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 22, 2023. On the other hand, Rebel Moon: Part Two – The Scargiver, is set to arrive on April 19, 2024.
Source: Screen Rant
