Are you eager to explore the amazing world in Rebel Moon? Allow Zack Snyder to be your guide. Director Zack Snyder visited Geeked Week 2023 to break down the trailer that was released recently for Rebel Moon: Part 1: Child of Fireand address some of the burning questions from fans about the movie that will be released on Netflix on December 22. The sequel, entitled Rebel Moon: Part Two: The Scargiver, is scheduled to release on April 19, 2024.
Rebel Moon, Part 1 The Children of Fire introduces you to Kora (Sofia Boutella), a solitary former soldier who lives an idyllic but solitary life on the remote farming moon called Veldt. This peace and tranquility are threatened when the forces of Motherworld, under the command of the unnerving Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein), land on Veldt, the moon, uncovering Kora’s past and potentially threatening her present.
With the possibility of losing her beloved place of residence, Kora teams up with the local farm owner Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) to build a group of rebels that could unite to take on the force of violence that is the Imperium and their ruthless regent, Balisarius (Fra Fee). The other actors who join Boutella to accompany her on this journey are Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Staz Nair, Doona Bae Ray Fisher, and E. Duffy. Anthony Hopkins, meanwhile, portrays a mechanical knight who is still convinced of the power of myth and tale.
The full Snyder Geeked Week conversation with Terri Schwartz and Lizandro Melean is here. Get ready to allow Snyder to guide you into the excitement of Rebel Moon.
Terri SchwartzJoining us this morning are the guy, the myth, and the legend. The mastermind of Rebel Moon, Zack Snyder, is in the residence.
Zack Snyder: Awesome. Thanks for inviting me.
Schwartz: Thank you for being here.
Lizandro Melean: We have just seen the latest trailer for Rebel Moon, and it’s probably the most thrilling movie I’ve ever watched.
Snyder: That’s kind.
Schwartz: Truly, same. Fans are so excited to check out the trailer and after we announced on Netflix, Geeked said that we’d talk to you about it The comments went viral. We asked people who had any questions.
Snyder: Let’s go.
Lizandro Melean: Now let’s dive into the story. @Seriouslysergio I love his nameHe asks, “Can you share a moment on set that encapsulates the overall experience of making this film?”
Snyder: [One illustration] from the production of this film was that the dropships land in Veldt in the location we constructed within the mountains. We were aware that the engines on the drop vessels would be powerful when they landed and generated dust clouds.
We had a lot of giant fans and we said, “OK, we’ll point them down so they blow a little bit.” After a few tests, we said, “That’s not enough.” We decided to use helicopters instead. They lower themselves super low over everyone and then blast their way through the rotor wash of the helicopters.
Then we’re all in the same place, with me on the camera and the actors thinking, “Oh, this is cool.” I explained to the actors, “It’s going to be a little bit dusty.” It was impossible to test since we were not going to blow away the upper dust. The helicopter arrives, and it blasts dust into every crevice in each human and into all of the equipment. I thought to myself, “That was great. This was amazing. It looked incredible.
Everyone was saying, “OK, that was cool; we got that.” I was informed, “OK and the next time around, it will arrive slightly lower and collect some extra dirt. It was fine; however, I think there’s a lot more I can offer.” In my opinion, the moment that this happened, it was clear that everyone had a sense of knowing what they were in for the rest of the time.
Schwartz: The world is about to embark on an unforgettable journey.
Melean: The viewer sees your film and it seems serious, yet you present these narratives as though they were written by humans having fun making up stories and telling them.
Snyder: This filmmaking experience is definitely enjoyable; there is no question about it! My friends and I are having a blast making our films. If making films doesn’t sound appealing to you, perhaps reassessing what constitutes fun is necessary. Since this basically involves acting out a world with guns from space, which is anything but enjoyable for me, I cannot even begin to explain it properly!
Schwartz: Everyone involved with this film is immensely satisfied and enjoying an amazing experience.
Snyder: No one is born evil.
Schwartz: No.
Snyder: They awaken and realize it was just a dream.
Melean: It’s all over. Wiser They’ve been trapped in some strange winter world, or whatever their interpretation of an ultimate Twilight Zone ending might be—whatever that could mean is now true.
Melean Thekreed asked, “Creating such a vast universe can be daunting. How long did it take for Rebel Moon’s storyline to develop and was your experience similar?”
Snyder’s approach to storytelling involves playing with characters at the end. Take Tarak, for example. We encounter him at what seems to be some type of cattle ranch-type location where he’s tied to an anvil. When someone tries to convince him to join their fight, Tarak says, “I would, but this man owes me money, which must be paid; although if that were my wishful thinking, it might happen differently. Also, it’s fun asking, “OK, so who are you thinking you are?”
Melean: As you come upon him here, it’s like getting two-thirds of his film in one go.
Snyder: Absolutely correct. As we develop his story and character arcs, so must his film. Now is the time to figure out where Tarak got his name, what the matter is with him and start painting his picture, which can be difficult when developing canon. Be wary of beginning canon development, though; this could leave you vulnerable if you set characters up too restrictively (e.g., “Oh geez, I wish the character could do that but unfortunately now they can’t”). Thus, one part of Shay and my work, along with Kurt, was to ensure we kept an eye on their long appearance in future films and stories.
Schwartz: This is an outstanding idea! Our next question comes from @DangerHayden on Twitter, who has sent us a video.
Danger Hayden Zack, the actors you cast go through drastic, dramatic transformations for their movie characters, including extensive physical and emotional change. What was the importance of the mental and physical training required to allow Sofia or Charlie to embody these characters that you created? Thanks!
Snyder: Yes. Nearly every actor was working out, which I consider essential. They have all undergone major or even subtle physical transformations since entering their gyms as incubators and then emerging with new looks as individuals. Therefore, I believe working out is beneficial in this way—more so than simply entering this incubator and gradually emerging out.
Schwartz: It’s true, but I imagine someone similar to Sofia Boutella too. My guess would be that she’s a dancer.
Snyder: is simply gorgeously fit. Absolutely incredible.
Schwartz: Sure. She has appeared in some outstanding action scenes, such as Atomic Blonde and The Mummy. In this film, I believe she performed most, if not all, of her actions herself.
Snyder: I’ve never felt more at home! Thanks!
Schwartz: Indeed. She has performed some extraordinary stunts before in Atomic Blonde and The Mummy; in this instance however, I believe her efforts were particularly noteworthy.
Snyder: performed almost all her stunts herself. There are only a couple of minor elements, however; occasionally we would need to throw her from scaffolding or have wires hit her while filming. I always reminded myself to say, ‘Look, this risk needs to be taken now so tomorrow we’re here shooting.” This was truly my only way of convincing her not to do these dangerous tasks herself.
Schwartz: delivers incredible action sequences in this film.
Snyder: We’d all agree that she possesses incredible physical talent; she’s both athletic and versatile enough to dance professionally. This combination makes for the ideal stuntwoman in many respects, particularly as action movies depend heavily on choreography, which means those you fight will likely have punching power against you! Know which way the wind is blowing so you can respond effectively or deviate in any other necessary way. Without understanding the repeatability requirements for each action and making precise decisions, making decisions can become challenging and time-consuming.
Without being aware of what repeatability means in each circumstance, this can be an arduous and complicated endeavor that you might find impossible to plan or execute successfully. Sofia stands out by not just dancing the choreography but being in the moment within it as well. Everyone can do this—well, not necessarily all—but there are definitely people capable of moving their bodies through dance like she can, especially while feeling it! And I cannot stress this enough. The emotional experience you get while dancing with Sofia is absolutely astounding.
Schwartz: Yes, I’d agree—your words really resonated with me!
Here, Melean addresses more questions from his viewers—here is the video link!
https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/rebel-moon-zack-snyder-geeked-week-interview
Video: Hello, Zack. My question for you regards your filmography’s broken heroes; specifically, in Rebel Moon, how have they overcome those hardships during its course?
Snyder: Oh yes—broken heroes with redemptive stories. Personally, I find these tales extremely mythological and captivating, as the protagonist must overcome physical torture to achieve some goal for themselves. Whether this involves ordinary girls like Sucker Punch being king or princesses themselves, finding redemption or finding their place has always intrigued me greatly.
Melean: The next question from Then_Parrish was as follows: “I would love to gain more details regarding the props, costumes, and outfits that brought this world alive. Zack, can you share which item or prop was most memorable for him and his team to create? Are there any small details I should check?”
Snyder: It is clear that Noble uses his bone-based staff throughout his journeys.
Melean: SnyderThe concept was that of an ancestor from Motherworld or mythological treasure—something to remind people who lived centuries before of an animal they once rode as part of a larger Giraffe group to carry the first king across desert terrain, like some kind of giant animal. It appears it may even have been just an empty space instead!
However, a closer inspection would reveal it was likely just part of a larger giraffe group carrying him across desert terrain. Its presence revealed itself because, when looking closer at the staff, you can clearly see small openings containing small amounts of bone from a larger animal that carried him across desert terrain in its current location. It shows it has nothing else but rather just another empty space!
Melean: People carry around filthy items.
Snyder: Maybe that’s all they had left; maybe that is all they have been left with as evidence for mythological history. Either way, this piece plays an integral part in that history.
Schwartz: The truth of it all is that each costume tells its own unique narrative based on diverse universes and mythologies. I wouldn’t like to make such an easy decision but given a choice between Nemesis or Captain Marvel costumes, I think they both fit the bill as epic characters that embody every facet of storytelling in some form or another.
Snyder: Doona Bae’s presence in this film was beyond amazing; I felt very blessed working together! You’ll notice Korean influences in her attire instead of it looking generically swordswoman-ish; we wanted to honor all aspects of her heritage while maintaining authenticity. Doona loved wearing her unique hat and had great fun doing so.
On Netflix “Maestro” Movie Screening On 20 November 2023.
Schwartz: Ich am equally delighted by this hat—and, to be clear, This question may well be the biggest in all the Q&A’s; therefore, there should be no anxiety involved here! An answer came in from @Nicholasjlevi, who’s looking into discovering “what makes up a Zack Snyder sandwich, as well as your preferred ingredients”.
Snyder: What can it be?! There’s nothing better!
Schwartz: Do you eat turkey, ham, or both? Zack, discuss with me.
Snyder: This sandwich must contain turkey. Additionally, lettuce and tomato make an appearance here, along with ample mayonnaise and possibly chopped or raw onions sliced thin for additional texture and crunchiness. Slice in two halves for optimal consumption!
Schwartz: What are the differences between diagonal lines and straight lines?
Snyder: Not usually. Most likely, straight across.
I don’t know, but going diagonal could prove risky and lead to disaster.
Schwartz: Alright, we know what Rebel Moon’s official sandwich is now.
Snyder: That is really cool. Snyder: Geeked Week exclusive content! You’re making me hungry!
Schwartz agreed. In Melean language: No more sandwiches, please!
Melean: Let’s return to business, continuing our fan questions. Here is my handle: @nobletribe.
Snyder: That is really impressive.
Schwartz: Let us try our hand at guessing some villains.
Melean: Maybe. He asked how it was like shooting with custom anamorphic lenses that create flares so quickly—they appear so realistic!
Snyder: Thanks so much. Vintage glass, old lenses, and similar objects have always fascinated me as part of film-making and cinematography experiences—something some may agree with while others don’t. That is OK too; many viewers won’t pick up on what interests me so deeply about vintage lenses and glass; they may want more clarity as to their meaning than I can give in this film alone. But then again for many viewers like yourself, it might just pass right over them without comment. And for others who do notice something more, looking deeper might provide answers: what that something meant all along this time!
Schwartz: That is our goal here today; since you serve both as director and cinematographer on this film project.
Snyder: Yes. In both Army of the Dead and this film, I served as both director of photography and director. It marks a return to my commercial roots; for 10 years prior, I served in that capacity on commercials. After turning my focus toward filmmaking, however, people told me I couldn’t juggle both jobs; at first, I thought, “Oh well, I can choose one.” However, after working with some incredible cinematographers on previous movies whom I greatly valued and learned so much from, doing everything myself seemed more fun on these last two projects; indeed, it proved more successful and it made this project!
Schwartz: I recently encountered this question from @ijikari and absolutely love it: What anime series or characters are your favorites?
Snyder: You absolutely must mention Akira as a filmmaker if you wish to speak of Akira properly; doing so would not only fulfill her legacy as an important filmmaker but also fit with what we play at home often—Demon Slayer for example!
Schwartz: The beauty of Akira lies in the combination of western stories and science fiction with anime influence in this medium.
Snyder: I find this an incredible boomerang; the idea that influence can come back around is fascinating to me. Everyone can enjoy playing tennis; today it seems everything is available at the same time, while films such as Akira, Conan the Barbarian, and Heavily Metal all had an impactful influence on me as I grew older. These influences seem to be piling on top of each other like bricks falling onto one another rather than going straight upward. That’s what really fascinates me!
Schwartz: Now, at our final question, this has been truly delightful! Thank you and all your family members for being part of such an enjoyable event.
Snyder: I had such fun answering @Supesbatsy’s last question! A fantastic closing question with another video clip included. Thank you, Suzanne.We had such an enjoyable time making this movie and I am eager for audiences to enjoy it! I think fans will really dig it. There’s so much new mythology here and so many interesting possibilities in our universe to delve into as part of its deeper mysteries.
I personally found it quite engaging; hopefully fans do too. We worked hard at making sure there was something worth diving into here; something interesting has surfaced from all this effort that’s worth exploring—not randomness but something worth investigating more deeply and exploring in depth with usable results! This movie really had me and fan reactions have also been positive. I believe fans would really dig it when watching it in its entirety; my wife said something similar about creating it too, after making it!
Netflix will release Rebel Moon: Part One, A Child of Fire, onto their streaming service on December 22.
Lizandro has had an exceptional week. Congratulations on such an outstanding accomplishment. TS:And now for our show.
Terri, what a week it has been!
Thank you for participating in Geeked Week and we greatly appreciate it.
Zack Snyder has truly given us something incredible with Rebel Moon! I can’t wait for its release.
Rebel Moon: Part One: Child of Fire will be available on Netflix starting December 22, 2018.
I can’t wait for this movie! It promises to be extraordinary.
Follow @NetflixGeeked for updates regarding Rebel Moon!
Thank you so much for watching. We sincerely appreciate it.
