Forbes TeamZack Snyder, the creative force behind “Rebel Moon,” finds himself in a state of bemusement as he grapples with the critical reception of the space epic’s inaugural chapter. In an exclusive interview with Empire magazine, conducted in anticipation of the release of the franchise’s second installment, Snyder candidly expressed his bewilderment at the polarizing nature of the feedback directed towards “Rebel Moon: Part One.”
The visionary director, known for his distinct storytelling style, admitted to being perplexed by the vehement criticism that the film has garnered. “I don’t really have a rebuttal to the reviews,” Zack Snyder remarked with a hint of resignation. “For whatever reason, the reaction to my movies is very polarizing, and it always has been. The movie, it doesn’t seem like there’s that much in it that would warrant such visceral responses.”
“Rebel Moon” traces its origins back to a “Star Wars” pitch that Snyder initially presented to Lucasfilm. The saga unfolds against the backdrop of an intergalactic conflict, with Sofia Boutella’s character leading a diverse band of warriors in a fight against the oppressive Imperium, which threatens her idyllic farming colony.
While Boutella, who portrays a pivotal role in the film, revealed in a recent interview that the scathing reviews had taken an emotional toll on her, Snyder appeared more detached from the negative critiques. However, he did unveil plans for R-rated director’s cuts of each installment, promising heightened levels of gore, nudity, and violence—a departure from the theatrical release intended to cater to a more mature audience.
The initial “Rebel Moon” installment endured a dismal critical reception, registering a meager 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman dismissed the film as “insanely derivative,” suggesting that it primarily appeals to devout Zack Snyder enthusiasts.
Despite the critical onslaught, Snyder remained undeterred, citing the success of “Rebel Moon” on the Netflix platform. With approximately 80 to 90 million “views” accrued thus far, Snyder compared the film’s reach to that of box office behemoths, hinting at its potential to rival even the most commercially successful cinematic ventures.
As anticipation mounts for the release of “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” scheduled to hit screens on April 19, Snyder continues to embrace the unconventional distribution model of Netflix and the unwavering support of his dedicated fanbase.
