Zack Snyder on Rebel Moon: 'Exhausting, Long Process' Awaits Franchise Future

Zack Snyder has confirmed he’s stepping away from the Rebel Moon universe for the time being to focus on other creative ventures.

The Rebel Moon saga, a Star Wars-inspired sci-fi epic, premiered on Netflix in December 2023 with high expectations. Set in a galaxy dominated by the authoritarian Motherworld and its military arm, the Imperium, the story follows a group of rebels defending a peaceful village on the moon Veldt. The title itself hints at the uprising that follows—a fight for survival against overwhelming odds.

Despite the grand vision and striking visuals, Rebel Moon received a lukewarm response from critics. IGN’s review awarded it a 4/10, criticizing its “derivative patchwork script, mediocre action sequences, and superficial story.” The sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, released in April 2024, fared no better, earning the same score. IGN noted it delivered “a half-baked conclusion to a well-trodden story with flimsy character studies and lacklustre action.”

However, the R-rated director’s cuts of both films, released later in 2024, were met with a more favorable reception, offering deeper insight into Snyder’s original vision.

In a recent interview with Variety, Snyder revealed he’s shifting focus: “I got sidetracked into this — not sidetracked, it’s all uptown problems, as they say — for Netflix, I’m working on an LAPD SWAT movie. So I was like, OK, well, I’m gonna just sort of let that Rebel Moon world boil for a minute, and I’m gonna go do this.”

Known for his work on the DC Universe, including Man of Steel, Snyder opened up about the physical and creative toll of developing two Rebel Moon films back-to-back. “Frankly, it was a very exhausting, long process doing the two movies together. So it was nice to have a bit of a break from it,” he said. “I love it like crazy, but it’s nice to have a bit of a break. So yeah, we’ll see after I finish this, when I come back, where we are with everything.”

When asked about future expansions in the Rebel Moon universe, Snyder remained non-committal but optimistic. “There’s tons of stories. So, I mean, I think it’s literally, it’s endless,” he shared. “But, again, like I say, I’m waiting to see how we want to and in what way we would move forward, if at all.”

Still, the Rebel Moon universe continues to grow. A video game spinoff titled Blood Line has been confirmed, expanding the narrative beyond the screen and offering fans a new way to explore its rich, war-torn world.