Ori Marmur, who is vice president of Netflix’s original studio film group, has revealed why Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon will release as two films instead of one.
In an interview with Variety, Marmur explained that Snyder's passion for Rebel Moon ultimately was the deciding factor in allowing the fan-favorite director to release the franchise starter as a two-part film. "Zack came in with so much passion. This is a film that he’s had in mind for decades," Marmur said. "As you know, he’s spent so much time working on other people’s IP at other studios. We worked with him on Army of the Dead and we did things that others couldn’t do. We made a film and then a prequel and launched a live experience." He continued, With Rebel Moon he wanted to push the envelope again. When we saw how big the world he created was, we thought it would be better served as two pieces versus one film. It’s the kind of story that can continue to grow. He thinks of it as his take on making something like Star Wars."
Rebel Moon was initially conceived as a pitch for a potential Star Wars film. However, after Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, Snyder redeveloped the concept into its own standalone franchise, with Netflix scooping up the project in July 2021. "This is me growing up as an Akira Kurosawa fan, a Star Wars fan," Snyder said at the time about Rebel Moon, which is intended to launch a franchise worthy of rivaling the expansive galaxy far, far away that George Lucas first built in the 1970s. Principal photography on Rebel Moon began in April 2022 and lasted until the following December, with Snyder working off a script he co-wrote with Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad.
Netflix Unveils First Rebel Moon Footage
The first explosive footage from Rebel Moon was recently unveiled in Netflix's 2023 sizzle reel, which showcased the streamer's upcoming slate of films. Although the footage only offered a tease of Snyder's vision, fans were still treated to their first look at Sofia Boutella's Kora, a young woman with a mysterious past who will serve as the main character of Rebel Moon. In the upcoming film, Kora will be tasked with seeking out warriors from neighboring planets after her "peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius."
In addition to Boutella, Rebel Moon stars Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Anthony Hopkins, Corey Stoll, Fra Fee, Cary Elwes, and Stuart Martin, among others. Ray Fisher, Ray Porter and Jenna Malone, who starred as Cyborg, Darkseid and Jenet Klyburn in Snyder's trilogy of DC Universe films, will also appear in the film.
Rebel Moon is currently scheduled to hit Netflix on Dec. 22
Source: Variety