Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon franchise, a $166 million sci-fi project, has become one of the most successful ventures for the director after his departure from the DC universe. Released in two parts during 2023 and 2024 on Netflix, the movies quickly rose to become some of the platform’s most-watched blockbusters. Despite this success, Snyder’s focus has now shifted away from Rebel Moon, placing the franchise’s future in question.
The story centers on a human colony living on the edge of the universe, threatened by a far larger hostile force that compels them to unite with neighboring planets for defense. The cast features notable actors including Sofia Boutella, Ed Skrein, Charlie Hunnam, and Charlotte Maggi. Although Rebel Moon garnered mixed critical reviews, it was warmly embraced by Zack Snyder’s established fan base.
Why Zack Snyder Is Putting Rebel Moon on Hold
Snyder recently disclosed that his current priority is a new project: an LAPD SWAT movie for Netflix, which has taken precedence over continuing with Rebel Moon. This undertaking is consuming the majority of his efforts, pushing a return to the sci-fi series to a later date. The director explained that after working intensively on two movies back-to-back, he welcomed a break from the demanding Rebel Moon production.
I got sidetracked into this — not sidetracked, it’s all uptown problems, as they say — for Netflix, I’m working on an LAPD SWAT movie […] So I was like, OK, well, I’m gonna just sort of let that ‘Rebel Moon’ world boil for a minute, and I’m gonna go do this. And frankly, it was a very exhausting, long process doing the two movies together. So it was nice to have a bit of a break from it. I love it like crazy, but it’s nice to have a bit of a break. So yeah, we’ll see after I finish this, when I come back, where we are with everything.
—Zack Snyder, Director
The Implications of Snyder’s New Focus for Rebel Moon
Snyder’s admission confirms that Rebel Moon won’t see new installments until he completes his commitment to the LAPD SWAT movie. Given the significant investment Netflix and Snyder made into the two Rebel Moon films, the delay could raise questions about the franchise’s longevity and momentum. Netflix might also be cautious due to the mixed critical reception, despite the impressive viewing numbers.
While Snyder has expressed strong affection for the Rebel Moon universe, his use of the word “sidetracked” signals a temporary shift in enthusiasm and priorities. The director also clearly recognizes the need for rest following the demanding production schedule of the previous films. The eventual return to Rebel Moon will depend on both Snyder’s creative direction and the platform’s willingness to continue supporting the franchise.
Potential Benefits of Snyder’s LAPD SWAT Movie Break
Exploring a new genre with the LAPD SWAT film suggests Snyder is aiming to diversify his directing portfolio and try a fresh approach after the intense space opera. This change of pace might provide him with creative rejuvenation, allowing him to return to Rebel Moon with renewed energy and fresh ideas. The break could also address some of the narrative and production issues identified in the earlier films before any continuation.
Despite the polarized reactions to Rebel Moon, Snyder’s determination to progress with new projects signals resilience and an openness to growth as a filmmaker. Fans and audiences will likely watch closely to see if the LAPD SWAT movie meets expectations and whether it affects the future direction of the Rebel Moon series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Zack Snyder quit?
A. Creating the first movie was challenging, with the script often being significantly altered. In May 2017, Snyder left during post-production after his daughter passed away. Joss Whedon was then brought on to finish the movie, taking over as an uncredited additional director.
Q. Did Zack Snyder lose a child?
A. After his daughter Autumn died by suicide, Snyder decided to step away from working on Justice League’s finishing touches in May 2017 to support his family. As a result, Joss Whedon took over and completed the film.
