Zack Snyder, the visionary director behind 300, Watchmen, and Justice League, is bringing his own original sci-fi fantasy saga to Netflix. Rebel Moon is a space adventure that follows a band of misfits who join forces to defend a peaceful moon from a tyrannical empire. Here are some of the details you need to know about this upcoming blockbuster.

Release Date and Theatrical Plans

Rebel Moon is set to premiere on Netflix on December 22, 2023, just in time for the holiday season. The movie will be a Netflix exclusive, meaning you won’t be able to watch it anywhere else. However, there are plans for a limited theatrical release as well, so you might get a chance to see it on the big screen if you’re lucky. Netflix has not announced the exact dates and locations for the theatrical release yet, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as we find out.

Cast and Characters

Rebel Moon boasts an impressive and diverse cast of actors who will bring Snyder’s vision to life. The movie stars Sofia Boutella as Kora, a former soldier who leads the rebellion against the Imperium, a ruthless interstellar empire. Ed Skrein plays Atticus Noble, the sadistic admiral who commands the Dreadnought, a massive battleship that threatens to destroy Kora’s home moon of Veldt. Fra Fee plays Balisarius, the regent of the Imperium who wants to conquer the galaxy.

The movie also features Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, a farmer who joins Kora’s cause; Charlie Hunnam as Kai, a mercenary who owes Kora a debt; Djimon Hounsou as Titus, an ex-Imperium general who defects to the rebels; Staz Nair as Tarak, a former nobleman who has a secret connection to Balisarius; Bae Doona as Nemesis, a cyborg sword-wielder who works for Kai; E. Duffy as Milius, a refugee who escapes from the Imperium; Ray Fisher as Darrian, an insurgent who leads a group of fighters; and Cleopatra Coleman as Devra Bloodaxe, Darrian’s sister and second-in-command. Anthony Hopkins lends his voice to Jimmy, a knightly robot who accompanies Kora on her journey.

Story and Inspiration

Rebel Moon is an original story that Snyder has been developing for over a decade. He originally pitched it as a Star Wars spin-off set in the distant past of the galaxy far, far away, but Disney rejected his idea after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012. Snyder then decided to turn his concept into his own sci-fi universe, with influences from Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, Frank Herbert’s Dune, and Greek mythology.

The movie follows Kora as she rallies a group of warriors from different planets and cultures to fight against the Imperium, which has invaded her peaceful moon of Veldt. Along the way, she discovers secrets about her past and her destiny that will change the course of the war and the fate of the galaxy.

Teasers and Trailers

Netflix has released two teasers and one trailer for Rebel Moon so far, giving us glimpses of the stunning visuals and epic action that await us in the movie. The first teaser was unveiled at Gamescom on August 22, 2023¹, showing us some of the main characters and locations in the movie. The second teaser was released on October 21, 2023², revealing more details about the plot and the conflict between Kora and Noble. The official trailer was dropped on November 22, 2023³, showcasing more of the spectacular space battles and special effects that Snyder is known for.

Behind the Scenes

Rebel Moon is one of Snyder’s most ambitious projects yet, requiring extensive sets, costumes, props, and CGI to create a whole new sci-fi world. The movie was filmed in Budapest, Hungary from July to December 2022⁴, with a budget of over $200 million⁵. Snyder co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, who also worked with him on Army of the Dead and 300 respectively. Snyder also served as his own cinematographer for the movie, using digital cameras and IMAX lenses to capture his signature style.

Rebel Moon is expected to be the first installment of a trilogy that will explore more of Snyder’s sci-fi universe. The director has already mapped out the story for two sequels, titled The Child of Fire and The Scargiver. He has also expressed interest in creating spin-offs and prequels that will expand on the lore and history of his galaxy.

Rebel Moon is one of Netflix’s most anticipated movies of 2023, and we can’t wait to see what Snyder has in store for us. Are you excited for Rebel Moon? Let us know in the comments below.