PROGRES.ID – “Rebel Moon” director Zack Snyder discusses one of his major inspirations in creating the visuals for his latest epic science fiction action film for Netflix.
Apart from Star Wars, Snyder confirms that “Rebel Moon” is also inspired by other science fiction fantasy films in the form of the 1981 film “Heavy Metal,” a classic animated film based on comic magazines from the late ’70s.
Speaking with SlashFilm, the creator of “Sucker Punch” revealed his long-standing interest in the “sci-fi weirdness” of “Heavy Metal.” This prompted him to incorporate it into the visual production and the mythological world’s ambiance in “Rebel Moon.”
“It’s a science fiction fantasy, of course. I’ve always said it’s kind of ‘Heavy Metal’ science fiction in a lot of ways,” Snyder stated. “You know me, you know I’m a big fan of that illustrated fantasy magazine. And I like the idea that this movie is going to be more existing in—there’s a kind of weirdness, a little bit, in science fiction, a weirdness in science fiction that I like, where not everything is so straight and there are a million mysteries. Lots of questions.”
As seen in the teaser clip for “Rebel Moon: a Child of Fire,” this Netflix film will introduce the audience to a vast new galaxy ruled by the totalitarian Mother World.
The action-packed trailer also briefly showcases the film’s epic scale, teasing interconnected storylines and legends for its main cast led by Sofia Boutella as Kora, a former Empire soldier seeking redemption for her past mistakes. In the movie, she must recruit capable fighters from across the galaxy to help her challenge the power of the Mother World.
Zack Snyder’s Pitch for “Rebel Moon” Originally Rejected by Two Major Studios
Before this ambitious project was picked up by Netflix, Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” was initially developed as an R-rated Star Wars film after Lucasfilm’s sale to Disney in 2012. When it became clear that the studio wouldn’t agree with his creative vision and terms, Snyder decided to transform the project into a completely new science fiction franchise. In a previous interview, he confirmed that the revised “Rebel Moon” was pitched to Warner Bros. “a couple of times” as a film and video game. However, the studio rejected it twice.
In addition to Boutella, the first part of “Rebel Moon” will also star Djimon Hounsou as General Titus, Ed Skrein as Admiral Atticus Noble, Ray Fisher as Darrian Bloodaxe, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Doona Bae as Nemesis, Jena Malone as Harmada, Staz Nair as Tarak, Fra Fee as Regent Balisarius, and others. Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins has also joined the cast as the voice of a mechanical knight named Jimmy.
“Rebel Moon: Part I – a Child of Fire” will be available for streaming on December 22, 2023, followed by its sequel, “Rebel Moon: Part II – The Scargiver,” on April 19, 2024. Both projects were filmed in succession.
