Zack Snyder’s R-rated space opera, “Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire” has set a one-week theatrical run ahead of its debut on Netflix. The film will be playing on 70mm from Dec. 15-21st in Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto and London.
Here’s the official synopsis:
From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making. When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed.
There are definitely Zack Snyder fans out there — they are loud and vocal about their admiration for the “Justice League” filmmaker. I’m not one of them. I found things to like about “Watchmen” and his “Dawn of the Dead” remake, but not enough to convert me to his church of moviegoing.
Snyder’s upcoming ”Rebel Moon” was originally pitched as a new “Star Wars” for George Lucas and then Disney. The pitch got rejected, on both fronts, and then Snyder took his project over to Netflix.
Judging by the trailer, which is close to 4 minutes, Snyder has made his own space opera as he looks to set up a juggernaut franchise for the streaming giant. Will he succeed? He has a large audience of Netflix subscribers (270+ million) to lure into this new world he’s created.
It seems as though Snyder is doubling down on the ultra stylized, and brooding, frames he’s known to create. His artistic imprint is very recognizable: ultra slow-mo, dark interiors and exteriors, and a penchant for the camera zooming in and out of action sequences.
The budget for “Rebel Moon” is said to be $166 million, it’ll be split into two parts — the first one released in December of 2023, the second in 2024.
The cast includes Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cary Elwes, Rhian Rees, Jena Malone, and Corey Stoll, Charlie Hunnam and Anthony Hopkins as the voice of ‘Jimmy.’
‘Rebel Moon’ is set to stream December 22nd on Netflix.
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.