Current:Home > MarketsZack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon' is back in 'Part 2': What kind of mark will 'Scargiver' leave?-LoTradeCoin
Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon' is back in 'Part 2': What kind of mark will 'Scargiver' leave?
View Date:2024-12-23 15:38:11
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! (82384)
Related
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela remembered for having ‘the heart of a lion’ at his funeral
- How Andy Samberg Feels About Playing Kamala Harris’ Husband Doug Emhoff on Saturday Night Live
- TGI Fridays bankruptcy: Concerns about nearly $50 million in unused gift cards
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
- Nina Dobrev and Shaun White's First Red Carpet Moment as an Engaged Couple Deserves a Gold Medal
- DZ Alliance: Taking Action for Social Good
- DZA Token Joins Forces with AI, Propelling the AI FinFlare Investment System to New Heights
- Apologetic rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine gets 45 days in prison for probation violations
- Republicans rack up another good election night in South Carolina
Ranking
- 'Wanted' posters plastered around University of Rochester target Jewish faculty members
- College Football Playoff ranking snubs: Who got slighted during first release?
- Highest court in Massachusetts to hear arguments in Karen Read’s bid to dismiss murder charge
- Barry Keoghan says he's 'not an absent father' after parenting criticism: 'It sickens me'
- Why California takes weeks to count votes, while states like Florida are faster
- Mother charged after reportedly giving missing child to man during drug exchange
- Democrats hoped Harris would rescue them. On Wednesday, she will reckon with her loss
- In a south Georgia town racked by legal conflict, an election didn’t end until 3:50 am
Recommendation
-
American arrested in death of another American at luxury hotel in Ireland
-
Is Rivian stock a millionaire maker? Investors weigh in.
-
ROYCOIN Trading Center: Reshaping the Future of Financial Markets with Innovations in NFTs and Digital Currencies
-
Chauncy Glover, Emmy-winning LA TV anchor, dies at 39: Reports
-
Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
-
When does Part 2 of 'Outer Banks' Season 4 debut? Release date, trailer, cast, episode list
-
Brianna LaPaglia Says Ex Zach Bryan Blocked Her on Social Media After Breakup
-
Menendez Brothers Resentencing: District Attorney George Gascón’s Election Loss May Impact Case