Zack Snyder sets next feature at Netflix with sci-fi adventure Rebel Moon

After wrapping his successful zombie heist movie Army of the Dead at Netflix, Zack Snyder has selected his next movie, an epic sci-fi fantasy adventure film titled Rebel Moon. Snyder will co-write, direct, and produce the movie for the streaming service.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rebel Moon is inspired by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and Star Wars. He’ll be joined by Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, both of whom Snyder has worked with before. Hatten co-wrote Army of the Dead with Snyder and Johnstad worked with the director on 300. Snyder and Johnstad will receive story by credit.

Also returning to work with Snyder again is his wife and long-time producing partner Deborah Snyder via the couple’s company Stone Quarry.

What is Rebel Moon about?

Per THR, Rebel Moon “is set in motion when a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius. Desperate people dispatch a young woman with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them make a stand.”

Snyder told THR that he loves sci-fi and wants to turn Rebel Moon into a massive IP and universe that could be built out with additional movies and projects. If that happens, it’s similar to what Netflix is potentially planning for Army of the Dead, which already has an animated spinoff series in the works.

Rebel Moon stems from a Star Wars pitch Snyder developed a decade ago that never went anywhere after Disney acquired LucasFilm in 2012. But despite the idea not blossoming into anything there, Snyder always believed the script had real potential and so he started reworking the idea with Johnstad around the same time he was working on Army of the Dead.

“I’ve spent the last two or three years building out this universe. Every corner has to be painted in. I’ve been doing designs, constantly drawing and really cultivating its fertile ground to make this world fully realized,” Snyder says.

Army of the Dead has reportedly been very successful for Netflix, with more than 72 million people watching it in its first four weeks on the platform. Netflix is still trying to create unique IP and fully-realized franchises and universes to compete with Disney+ and its Marvel and Star Wars franchises.

Snyder says the project is currently “pretty far along” and hopes to start production in 2022. Overall, 2021, has been a great year for Snyder who also saw his version of Justice League restored after tremendous fan outcry on HBO Max.

Are you looking forward to Rebel Moon? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.