Many moons ago, acclaimed director Zack Snyder harbored a dream of crafting a grand Star Wars film, a dream he once pitched to Lucasfilm. However, for various reasons, that project never saw the light of day. Yet, this visionary idea refused to wither away, evolving over time into a colossal two-part cinematic adventure for Netflix, aptly named Rebel Moon. Both Zack Snyder and the streaming giant have their sights set on birthing a new franchise, and the first extended teaser was recently unveiled by Snyder himself at Gamescom in Germany.
Snyder's Inspirations: Drawing inspiration not only from Star Wars but also from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, with works like The Seven Samurai and The Dirty Dozen holding a special place in his heart, Snyder has birthed an epic narrative within a universe dominated by a corrupt and tyrannical authority known as the Mother World, governed by Regent Balisarius (played by Fra Fee). The eponymous rebel moon in this saga is christened Veldt, and here's the official premise:
In a remote colony at the edge of the galaxy, a peaceful existence is threatened by the merciless forces of a tyrannical regime. Kora (Sofia Boutella), an enigmatic resident of the colony, emerges as their last hope. Tasked with rallying trained fighters to stand against the might of the Mother World, Kora assembles a diverse band of heroes - outsiders, rebels, commoners, and war orphans from different realms, all united by a shared thirst for redemption and vengeance. As the shadow of an entire realm looms over the unlikeliest of moons, a colossal battle for the destiny of a galaxy takes shape, birthing a new generation of heroes.
Kora herself bears firsthand knowledge of the oppressive Imperium, as she once belonged to their ranks and now seeks redemption for her past. Her companions include Titus (Djimon Hounsou), a former Imperium general; Gunnar (Michiel Huisman), her farmer friend; Tarak (Staz Nair), a blacksmith with a unique connection to animals; Nemesis (Doona Bae), a cyborg sword master; Darrian Bloodaxe (Ray Fisher) and his sister Devra (Cleopatra Coleman); Harmada (Jena Malone), a spider warrior; and Jimmy, the last of a mechanical knight race from a fallen kingdom, voiced by Anthony Hopkins. Ed Skrein steps into the role of Admiral Atticus Noble, the right-hand man to the tyrannical Regent, while Cary Elwes graces the cast in an undisclosed role.
The Teaser: In the teaser, it's Sir Anthony Hopkins, as Jimmy, who provides a weighty voiceover, unfurling essential backstory about a fallen king and a young princess named Issa, also known as the Redeemer in the legends, destined to bring an end to the madness of war and usher in an era of peace and compassion. Unfortunately, that destiny remained unfulfilled. Yet, the Imperium now seeks a figure known as "the Scargiver," or Kora, a "child of war." The teaser introduces us to various fellow rebels and offers tantalizing glimpses of Snyder's signature, action-packed battle sequences. As Jimmy declares, "The king is a man, and a man can fail. But a myth is indestructible."
Mark Your Calendars: "Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire" is set to premiere on Netflix on December 22, 2023, while the second part, "Rebel Moon: The Scargiver," will grace the streaming platform on April 19, 2024. Furthermore, there are plans for a limited theatrical release, promising an epic cinematic journey that will captivate audiences across the galaxy.