As soon as it was announced that Zack Snyder would be directing a sci-fi epic called Rebel Moon for the Netflix streaming service, Snyder made it clear that they were hoping this would be a franchise-starter. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted Rebel Moon to be “a massive IP and a universe that can be built out”… and even though the first Rebel Moon only started filming a few months ago, Netflix has already secured California tax credits for a sequel. Which they’re currently calling Rebel Moon: Part 2.
The California Film Commission announced their latest round of credit allocations this morning, and Variety reports that Netflix was given $37.1 million worth of tax credits – which is 40% of the total that were given out. $16.6 million of that will be going toward the production of Rebel Moon: Part 2. The first Rebel Moon also benefited from California tax credits last year; that movie was given $18.5 million of credit. Variety hears that
The two “Rebel Moon” films are projected to cost $83 million apiece just in “qualified” in-state spending, which excludes “above the line” costs like actor and director salaries.
Snyder crafted the story for Rebel Moon with 300 co-writer Kurt Johnstad, and the pair wrote the screenplay with Army of the Dead co-writer Shay Hatten. The events of the film are
set in motion when a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius. Desperate, the colonists dispatch a young woman with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them make a stand.
So, much like Battle Beyond the Stars, it’s basically Seven Samurai / The Magnificent Seven in space. Snyder said he was inspired to make Rebel Moon because he grew up “as an Akira Kurosawa fan, a Star Wars fan. It’s my love of sci-fi and a giant adventure. My hope is that this also becomes a massive IP and a universe that can be built out.” The project actually started out as a Star Wars pitch that Snyder put together years ago. When the idea didn’t gain traction as a Star Wars movie, Snyder and producer Eric Newman considered developing it into a TV series before setting it up as a feature at Netflix.
Snyder, his wife Deborah Snyder, and Wesley Coller are producing Rebel Moon through their company Stone Quarry. Newman is producing via his banner, Grand Electric, while Grand Electric’s Sarah Bowen executive produces.
Rebel Moon stars Sofia Boutella (The Mummy), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place Part II), Ray Fisher (Justice League), Doona Bae (The Host), Jena Malone (Sucker Punch), Staz Nair (Supergirl), E. Duffy (whose previous credits are all short films), Charlotte Maggi (MaveriX), Sky Yang (Tomb Raider), Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones), Alfonso Herrera (Ozark), Cary Elwes (Saw), Corey Stoll (Ant-Man), Ed Skrein (Deadpool), and Stuart Martin (Army of Thieves).
We don’t have any further information on Rebel Moon: Part 2 at this time.
Are you glad to hear that a sequel to Rebel Moon is already moving forward? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.