Behind the Scenes: Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon Revealed
Epic Science-Fantasy Saga Opener: Born as Flames - A Tale of Fire-Born Rebel
Zack Snyder, known for his blockbuster hits like 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, shares the tale behind his latest endeavor, the sprawling sci-fi epic Rebel Moon. This isn't just another film for Snyder; it all started way back in college when he came up with an audacious concept for a student project: "What about Dirty Dozen... in space?" reads Snyder, who penned the final draft alongside Kurt Johnstad & Shay Hatten from his original story.
This idea, although outrageous for a student, stayed with him throughout his career. "It's easy to say, but it takes a lot of world-building basically. The imagination part wasn't that difficult, but the notion of it was so ambitious," Snyder muses. Over the years, the vision matured, moving away from a mere 'Star Wars' derivative to a unique, sprawling space opera.
Producer Deborah Snyder shares her excitement about working on something original after years of known IPs. "You're no longer beholden to anything. I can't imagine Zack going back to just directing after this. It's in his blood to hold a camera - when explosions are going off, he's right there. There's an intimacy it creates with actors and with everyone else on set," she says.
With the stars aligning, Rebel Moon is set to captivate audiences with its hero's journey, filled with action, world-building, and characters who are scrappy and creative, always tenacious and ready to risk everything.
In the face of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, a small band of warriors from various worlds with a common need for redemption and revenge unite to save a moon at the far reaches of the universe. In the process, a new army of heroes is born.
As the premiere of Rebel Moon - Chapter One: Chalice of Blood and Rebel Moon - Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness draws closer, one can only wonder what further secrets and twists this ambitious project holds.
It seems like a challenge that has stuck with Snyder throughout his entire career. With its epic scale, underdog story, and a cast that includes Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, and Ray Fisher, Rebel Moon promises an unforgettable cinematic adventure.
Diving deeper into the rich mythology of Rebel Moon, it becomes evident that the film took inspiration from various sources, notably the works of Akira Kurosawa and "Heavy Metal" magazine. Snyder's ambitious vision for creating a new franchise, with plans for R-rated director's cuts, sets Rebel Moon apart from traditional space operas like "Star Wars".
As Snyder engages in a discussion about the visual approach for Rebel Moon, he sheds light on his meticulous process of sketching thousands of drawings to guide the art, production, and VFX teams. By combining practical sets and large-scale visual effects, Snyder successfully brings to life a grounded yet fantastical universe that appeals to audiences regardless of their interests and backgrounds.
In bringing his vision to life, Snyder worked alongside veteran production designers Stephen Swain and Stefan Dechant, who divided the heavy lift of the production design, with Swain responsible for conceptualizing the sets and Dechant overseeing the builds. The team's commitment to building as much as possible practically helps to make the thousands of visual effects shots appear seamless.
With Rebel Moon set to release, fans and newcomers alike can look forward to a cinematic experience that blends adventure, drama, and spectacular visuals to create an immersive and unforgettable universe.
This upcoming movie, Rebel Moon, represents a lifelong challenge for director Zack Snyder, who drew inspiration for it since his college days. With its grand scale, captivating story, and star-studded cast, it promises to offer a remarkable journey into a distinctive, immersive sci-fi and fantasy universe, unlike traditional space operas or films derived from known IPs.
