Zack Snyder Talks Rebel Moon Filming, Future Plans

Director Zack Snyder has announced he's temporarily stepping away from the Rebel Moon franchise to focus on other creative ventures.

Mixed Reception for Netflix's Space Opera

The Star Wars-inspired sci-fi epic Rebel Moon premiered on Netflix in December 2023 with tremendous anticipation. The story unfolds in a galaxy dominated by the oppressive Motherworld, whose Imperium forces threaten a peaceful colony on the moon Veldt, sparking a rebellion.

Despite Netflix's high expectations, the film received harsh criticism from reviewers. IGN's assessment scored it 4/10, noting: "Zack Snyder's space epic suffers from unoriginal storytelling, underwhelming action scenes, and shallow narrative depth."

The sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, released in April 2024, faced similar criticism with another 4/10 rating from IGN: "This continuation of Snyder's space saga delivers an unsatisfying conclusion to an overfamiliar story, featuring weak character development and uninspired action sequences." The R-rated director's cuts of both films in 2024 garnered more favorable responses.

New Ventures Take Priority

"I've shifted focus temporarily – what we'd call a privileged problem – to develop an LAPD SWAT film for Netflix," Snyder revealed in a recent Variety interview. "I decided to let the Rebel Moon universe simmer while pursuing this new project."

The visionary behind Man of Steel and the former DC Extended Universe also discussed the challenges of juggling multiple major productions. "The back-to-back filmmaking process was incredibly demanding," he admitted. "I'm passionate about Rebel Moon, but this breather feels necessary. We'll reassess future plans after completing my current project."

Uncertain Future for the Franchise

When questioned about expanding the Rebel Moon universe, Snyder remained cautiously optimistic but noncommittal. "The storytelling potential is virtually limitless," he noted. "But we're carefully considering how – and whether – to proceed with additional content."

The franchise's longevity appears promising though, as evidenced by the recently announced Blood Line video game set in the Rebel Moon universe.