Zack Snyder is back and in style. Being one of the most highly anticipated projects, Netflix has finally unveiled the teaser trailer for Rebel Moon. It will be a massive two-part Star Wars-like space opera featuring a star-studded ensemble envisioned under director Zack Snyder.
Being one of the most talked about topics in cinematic conversations, there’s one question that’s buzzing louder than most: “Is Rebel Moon part of Star Wars?”
While the director has already made it clear that it has nothing to do with the ‘Galaxy Far Far Away,’ many are still confused.
With all that discussion, its roots and inspirations can be traced to Disney’s billion-dollar franchise. To answer the question of whether it is a Star Wars movie, Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon is not associated with Star Wars by any means. However, the movie is said to be an inspired universe, complete with spaceships, alien creatures, and talking robots.
Snyder Clarifies Rebel Moon’s Connection With Star Wars
Ever since the new project was announced, fans couldn’t help but compare the new franchise to George Lucas’ universe. The similarities between the two can’t be ignored. Robots, spaceships, lifestyles, and clothing are some of the similarities between both universes.
At the Hollywood Hills preview event for the movie (via Polygon), film producer and director Zack Snyder’s wife clarified the connection between the highly compared universes. “I never wanted it to be [a Star Wars movie] because your hands are tied to the IP,” said Deborah Snyder. “I was happy it fell apart.”
Was Rebel Moon Inspired By Star Wars?
Zack Snyder came up with the idea when he was in school! For a class pitch in the 1980s, he decided to tell the story of Rebel Moon. After his successful projects and deals with Netflix, Snyder decided to go for his old idea and pitched Rebel Moon to the streamer.
Even though the two-movie franchise is not a part of George Lucas’ universe, the inspiration behind the idea seems clear. And this subtly justifies the debate on why people are asking about the two universes.
Is Rebel Moon An Original Story?
From the moment Zack Snyder’s ambitious Netflix space opera Rebel Moon was first announced, one aspect of its backstory has earned more attention than anything else: The film began as a Star Wars pitch. “I remember calling Zack at some point 15 years ago,” producer Eric Newman said at a splashy Hollywood Hills preview event for the film.
He has previously worked with the filmmaker on Dawn of the Dead. “He was talking about a ‘Seven Jedi’ movie in the Star Wars universe,” added Eric as he revealed the idea of making a Star Wars movie based on Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai almost seemed circular.
However, the pitch eventually made its way to Lucasfilm but never got on the floors for many reasons. One was Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 and that brass’ approach to the new franchise.
Why Lucasfilm Did Not Work with Zack Snyder?
The theatrical Star Wars movies have largely revolved around legacy characters, but Snyder’s plan involved an entirely fresh cast with no relationships to past Star Wars characters.
When Lucasfilm announced the plan for the sequel trilogy fell into place, the Snyder envisioned movie disappeared from any future planning boards. And that was the moment when Netflix came into play and started working on the project.
Reportedly, creative differences also joined the play, but it is for good whatever happened. The Netflix movie will have every frame infused with Zack Snyder’s signature touch.
The audiences can anticipate a visually spectacular journey boasting intricate special effects coupled with the gritty realism that the filmmaker is renowned for.
Directed by Zack Snyder, Rebel Moon is set to release on 22 December 2023, whereas Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver will follow very soon after, on Netflix on April 19, 2024.
Source: Polygon
