Zack Snyder Says Making Rebel Moon Part 1 and 2 Back to Back Was a 'Very Exhausting, Long Process,' Still Waiting to See How to Move Forward With the Franchise, 'If at All'

Rebel Moon

Zack Snyder has confirmed he's stepping back from Rebel Moon to focus on other creative ventures.

The Star Wars-inspired sci-fi epic Rebel Moon premiered on Netflix in December 2023, generating significant anticipation. Set in a galaxy dominated by the authoritarian Motherworld, the story follows a rebellion against the oppressive Imperium, which threatens a remote village on the moon Veldt. As the title implies, a group of rebels rises to challenge the empire.

Despite high expectations from Netflix, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. IGN’s review of Rebel Moon gave it a 4/10, stating: "Zack Snyder's space opera falters due to a formulaic script, underwhelming action, and a shallow narrative."

The sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, arrived in April 2024 and received a similar assessment. IGN’s review again scored it 4/10, calling it "a half-baked conclusion to a familiar tale, undermined by weak character development and uninspired action." However, the R-rated director’s cuts of both films, released in 2024, were met with more favorable reactions.

"I got pulled into this — not pulled away, more like it’s all part of the same creative journey — for Netflix, I’m currently working on a LAPD SWAT movie," Snyder shared in a recent interview with Variety. "So I thought, okay, I’ll let the Rebel Moon universe simmer for now and focus on this new project."

The acclaimed filmmaker, best known for his work on the DC Universe — now undergoing a reboot — also spoke about the challenges of managing two major projects at once. "Honestly, it was an incredibly demanding and lengthy process to produce both films back-to-back. So it felt good to take a pause," he said. "I still love it deeply, but a break is welcome. We’ll see where things go once I finish this new film."

When asked about future stories or additional adaptations within the Rebel Moon universe, Snyder remained cautious. "There are endless possibilities," he said. "But for now, I’m waiting to see how we want to proceed — if at all."

Still, it’s evident that Snyder sees boundless potential in the Rebel Moon world — especially now that a video game spinoff, titled Blood Line, has been announced and is set to expand the universe alongside the film series.