Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, a sci-fi epic released on Netflix in December 2023, certainly created waves in the streaming world. Despite initial excitement, the two-part series, set in a galaxy ruled by the imperialistic Motherworld, was met with mixed reactions. The plot revolves around a group of rebels battling the military force, the Imperium, to protect their village on the moon Veldt. However, what was intended to be an expansive space opera became the subject of harsh criticism.
IGN’s review of Rebel Moon gave it a mere 4/10, labeling it as a derivative mix of familiar tropes with lackluster action and a thin storyline.
Despite the initial disappointment, Snyder remained optimistic. The sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, released in April 2024, faced a similar reception, with IGN delivering another 4/10. The sequel, too, was criticized for its incomplete character development and uninspiring action sequences. However, the director’s cuts of both films, which were released later in 2024, garnered more favorable reviews, as they were seen as a more refined version of the original.
Despite the critical response, Snyder has confirmed that he’s taking a break from Rebel Moon to focus on other projects. “It was a very exhausting, long process making the two movies back to back,” Snyder explained. “But it was good to take a step back. I love it, but it’s nice to have a bit of a break. We’ll see after I finish my next project, what happens with the Rebel Moon universe.” While he was tight-lipped about any concrete plans for more movies in the Rebel Moon franchise, Snyder hinted at the endless possibilities within this universe, suggesting that there were countless stories to tell.
As Snyder steps away from Rebel Moon to work on his LAPD SWAT film, the future of the franchise remains uncertain. However, the universe continues to expand, with a video game spinoff, Blood Line, set in the Rebel Moon world, offering fans a new way to immerse themselves in the series.