The history of ‘Rebel’ Moon goes back so far that Zack Snyder first developed the sci-fi epic as a ‘Star Wars’ universe pitch before Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm
Rebel Moon is a Star Wars-inspired project from Zack Snyder that’s been in development for more than a decade. Production for the Netflix film has finally begun, and a full cast list has been released. Which includes former Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam. But the goal isn’t just to release one movie. This project is so big that it’s turning into its own original Snyder-created universe — which will include two “epic features.”
‘Rebel Moon’ was originally pitched as part of the ‘Star Wars’ universe
The history of the Rebel Moon project goes back so far that Snyder first developed the sci-fi epic as a Star Wars universe pitch before Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm. Once that deal was made, the director adapted and reworked Rebel Moon into an original property — scrapping every Star Wars reference and tie-in — while making Netflix’s Army of the Dead.
According to Variety, the film is a “grand fantasy adventure” about a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy who is threatened by armies of a tyrannical despot known as Regent Belisarius. To help fend off an impending invasion, the colonists call on a young woman with a mysterious past to recruit warriors from neighboring planets.
The ‘Rebel Moon’ project is so big it will reportedly split into 2 ‘epic features’
Production for Rebel Moon officially began this month, and has an extremely long shoot that is scheduled to last until November. Because the project has gotten so big, the plan is to “split the project into two epic features,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
If those films are a hit, the Rebel Moon franchise will continue to build out just like Snyder’s Army of the Dead, with possible prequels, spinoffs, and even an anime series.
Snyder is directing both features. And he co-wrote the scripts with Army of the Dead co-screenwriter Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, who co-wrote the 2006 epic 300. Snyder’s producing partners are his wife Deborah and Wesley Coller under the trio’s The Stone Quarry production banner.
Charlie Hunnam is part of a large ensemble cast
Rebel Moon will feature a large ensemble cast led by dancer-turned-actress Sofia Boutella, who plays the young woman at the center of the story. She will be joined by Hunnam, The Princess Bride’s Cary Elwes, Blood Diamond’s Djimon Hounsou, Ant-Man’s Corey Stoll, Justice League’s Ray Fisher, and Sense8’s Bae Doona.
Other cast members include Jena Malone, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, and Sky Yang. As well as Dutch actor Michiel Huisman and Mexican actor Alfonso Herrera.
Character details are extremely difficult to come by. But one source claims Elwes will play the king of the galactic empire, Hounsou’s character is named General Titus, Fisher is a resistance fighter known as Blood Axe, and Bae is a nemesis who is proficient with a sword.
Netflix has not yet announced a premiere date for the Blood Moon films. But fans can expect the first one to drop on the streamer in late 2023 or early 2024.
