There have been countless examples of streaming services adhering to algorithms when creating new content. It’s counterintuitive to the artistic process, but that’s just how these streamers roll.
Off the top of my head, one instance that comes to mind is Apple telling filmmaker Dexter Fletcher that if “something doesn’t happen in the first 30 seconds, people will just turn [the movie] off.”
The latest streaming nugget comes from the production of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon,” via Vanity Fair. Snyder says he split his upcoming “Rebel Moon” into two parts after Netflix’s Scott Stuber asked him to make it less than 2 hours:
“Stuber was like, ‘On the service, under-2-hour movies do better for some reason,’ even though you’ll binge-watch a series of 8 episodes.”
“Zack said, ‘If you ask me to make this less than 2 hours, I’m going to lose all the character. You won’t care about these people. It’s a character story about how people can change, and redemption…’ So he said, ‘What if I give you two movies?’”
Snyder is known for his slow-motion shots, so, of course, he needs four hours to tell this story. Makes sense.
“Rebel Moon” is said to be Snyder’s R-rated take on “Star Wars.” It follows a peaceful colony on the galaxy’s edge that sends out a mysterious woman to find warriors to face off against a tyrannical regent and his armies. Or, something like that.
The film stars Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Michiel Huisman, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, E. Duffy, Djimon Hounsou and Ed Skrein. The first part will be released via Netflix on December 22, 2023.