Director Zack Snyder is moving towards his future at Netflix as the streaming giant is just about to begin filming “Rebel Moon,” his second original film that is loosely based on a sci-fi take of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece “Seven Samurai.” The project even initially started as a “Star Wars” pitch to Lucasfilm.
With production about to begin, Snyder announced, on Twitter, the bulk of the cast joining Sofia Boutella (“Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Atomic Blonde”) in “Rebel Moon.” Those new additions consist of Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Jena Malone, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, and Sky Yang.
The standout of the group was Fisher, who previously worked with Snyder on the “Justice League” movie and has been feverishly loyal to the filmmaker. More names are expected to be announced between now and its production start.
The director also included three pieces of official concept art in the tweet, giving us a glimpse into this sci-fi world he’s trying to create, our heroes, and possibly the film’s villain, Balisarius. It certainly has a “Star Wars” meets the video game franchise “Killzone” feel to it.
Here’s the basic log-line: “‘Rebel Moon’ takes place on a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy that is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius. Desperate people dispatch a young woman (Boutella) with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them make a stand. “
Netflix and Snyder won’t be stopping there, as he’ll be directing a direct sequel to “Army of The Dead” once he finishes “Rebel Moon.” If successful, there is an expectation that the sci-fi project could spawn sequels and spinoffs at the streamer.