Current:Home > MarketsZack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon' is back in 'Part 2': What kind of mark will 'Scargiver' leave? -Wealth Evolution Experts
Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon' is back in 'Part 2': What kind of mark will 'Scargiver' leave?
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:57:07
It was only in December that Netflix's "Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire" ushered in producer/director/creator Zack Snyder's brash new sci-fi universe to great fanfare, a (limited) theatrical release and giddy talk of expansion.
Just four months later, "Rebel Moon − Part Two: The Scargiver" premieres on Netflix to noticeably less pomp, but all the special-effects pop. The two movies were shot back-to-back in 152 days on a total budget of $166 million.
"The movies were written as a single story, our script was over 220 pages," says Snyder, who split the story, originally conceived as a "Star Wars" project, in half Solomon-like after bringing the saga to PG-13-friendly Netflix.
Here's what happening with the "Rebel Moon" universe and "Part Two: The Scargiver," premiering Friday (3 a.m. EDT/midnight PDT) on Netflix.
What happened in 'Child of Fire' the first 'Rebel Moon' movie?
Former Imperium soldier Kora (Sofia Boutella) pulled together an unlikely team of rebels including General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), Nemesis (Bae Doona), Tarak (Staz Nair) and Darrian Bloodaxe (Ray Fisher). The crew overcame the usual impossible odds and even betrayal by mercenary pilot Kai (Charlie Hunnam) to deliver a major blow against the oppressive regime ruled by Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee).
In the ultimate showdown, Kora stabbed deliciously evil Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein), crushed his head and knocked him 2,000 feet, falling to certain death. Kai also earned the death the traitor deserved, removing the biggest Hollywood star from the cast lineup.
Critics panned 'Rebel Moon,' but how did 'A Child of Fire' perform on Netflix?
Critics revolted against the first "Rebel Moon," which earned a dismal 21% fresh reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (with a surprisingly low 57% audience score). Snyder dismisses the naysayers: "If people watch the movie, it doesn't matter what the critics say. It is what it is."
Gauging streaming movie successes, or flops, without traditional box-office metrics is a brave new world that's open to interpretation. But people did watch. Netflix cited 77.9 million views of "Rebel Moon," which debuted as the streaming service's No. 1 movie and remained in Netflix's global top 10 for four weeks.
During a recent "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast interview, Snyder improbably compared the numbers for "Rebel Moon" to the $1.4 billion "Barbie" theater haul.
"Those metrics don't hold water," says Ryan Scott, a SlashFilm.com box-office analyst. "And while it cracked the Netflix top 10, 'Rebel Moon' still ranked behind movies with titles you had to Google. It just wasn't nearly as big as Netflix wanted it to be."
What happens in 'Rebel Moon 2'? Lots of fast action scenes and slow-motion wheat harvesting
The action picks up right after the rebel victory. Noble somehow survives and is hellbent on revenge, urging his Imperium ship to Kora's peaceful adopted farming planet of Veldt.
There are five days before Noble's arrival. That's enough time for Kora and farmer rebel Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) to heat up their simmering love and for the warriors to train the farmers for war − all while harvesting wheat fields for the Imperium.
There are lingering shots, often in slow motion, of warriors like Hounsou's General Titus working the scythe in real northern California wheat fields. Snyder oversaw the 10 acres of wheat grown specifically for "Rebel Moon" and gets his money's worth in "Scargiver."
The farming and peace are cut short when Noble's ship arrives to bring another super-epic, supremely loud battle.
Critics' thoughts on the second film are not yet available: Reviews are embargoed until one minute before Friday's "Scargiver" release. Early reaction on social media has been mixed, with Gizmodo's Germain Lussier calling it "better than Part I."
What's up with that third 'Rebel Moon' film?
Snyder, known for his superhero movie director's cuts, plans to release R-rated versions of "Child of Fire" and "Scargiver." Snyder says he's completed the "adult, hard-R" versions, but is waiting for Netflix to set the streaming dates.
Snyder told USA TODAY last year that he'd be "comfortable" with six films in the 'Rebel Moon' franchise. However, Netflix has not greenlit a third movie, and the streaming giant has changed movie leadership. Dan Lin arrived as the new film chief on April 1.
"It seems tough to see a continuation of this franchise with these numbers and in this Hollywood environment," says Scott.
Sean O'Connell, managing editor at CinemaBlend and author of "Release the Synder Cut: The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight That Saved Zack Snyder's Justice League," says it will be a challenge for Snyder to make additional "Rebel Moon" films.
"But I've learned not to bet against Zack Snyder," says O'Connell. "Zack and his fans can make the impossible happen."
For his part, Snyder is "ready to go as far as I'm concerned" with the third movie already planned out.
"I'm excited to make some more movies," he says. "We're just waiting to see what everyone feels like in terms of what's next."
veryGood! (3661)
Related
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Interim leader of Alcorn State is named school’s new president
- I'm Adding These 11 Kathy Hilton-Approved Deals to My Cart During the Amazon Big Spring Sale
- The Diane von Furstenberg x Target Collection Is Officially Here—This Is What You Need To Buy ASAP
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Caitlin Clark has fan in country superstar Tim McGraw, who wore 22 jersey for Iowa concert
- Missouri GOP sues to remove candidate with ties to KKK from Republican ballot
- Horoscopes Today, March 22, 2024
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain found in river in West Nashville
Ranking
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Vote-counting machine foes hoped for a surge of success in New Hampshire. They got barely a ripple
- I'm Adding These 11 Kathy Hilton-Approved Deals to My Cart During the Amazon Big Spring Sale
- 2 Black officers allege discrimination at police department
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Target doubles bonuses for salaried employees after profits jump in 2023
- Lawmakers who passed a bill to lure nuclear energy to Kentucky say coal is still king
- Princess Kate diagnosed with cancer; King Charles III, Harry and Meghan react: Live updates
Recommendation
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Who is Dan Schneider? The Nickelodeon 'golden boy' accused of abusive behavior in new doc
Here's How Jamie Lee Curtis Reacted To Chef José Andrés' Kitchen Mishap While Filming For His New Show
Elena Larrea, Social Media Influencer and Animal Activist, Dead at 31
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Vote-counting machine foes hoped for a surge of success in New Hampshire. They got barely a ripple
Alabama gambling bill faces uncertain outlook in second half of legislative session
Fill up your gas tank and prepare to wait. Some tips to prepare for April’s total solar eclipse