Rebel Moon is an IP that Netflix seems to be leaning into, thanks to Zack Snyder’s promise to turn the franchise into something on par with Star Wars. Originally starting out life as an R-rated Star Wars story that had to be buried come Disney’s acquisition of the property.
However, despite finding a new life at Netflix, Rebel Moon seems to be struggling with critics, something that might impact its viewership on the streaming platform. The idea was to create an IP that could rival those from other studios, but it now seems like Snyder does not want to stand with the versions of the films released to the audiences.
Zack Snyder thinks PG-13 is a joke
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Zack Snyder opened up about his excitement for the R-rated cut of the film. However, the director had some choice words for the tamer cut of the film, going so far as to call it a joke:
“PG-13 is a joke. As far as it’s safe. I can’t wait for you to see the R-rated version, because I think it is just, you understand really the sort of, ‘Why,’ of the whole thing.”
The focus very much seems on the fact that the definitive cut of the story is the R-rated one, given that it was originally imagined as an R-rated Star Wars film. However, it begs the question of why there was a PG-13 cut of the film at all, given how adult properties like Invincible and The Boys have thrived on streaming.
Perhaps it’s time to entertain the possibility of Rebel Moon not making it as a franchise
Despite all the hype that has surrounded the films, the first film’s dud was a major blow to the franchise as it was picking up steam. The second film has received a lukewarm response, but not the kind that would merit Netflix investing more into the franchise.
Netflix is going to end two of its most critically acclaimed science fiction franchises in the near future, those being Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy. Rebel Moon could have been one such property that could have taken over from them but has not been able to wow audiences in the same manner as the former two did.
Netflix may decide not to go ahead with Rebel Moon as a franchise, instead deciding to work with new IPs that could come its way to fill the niche left by the leaving franchises. Rebel Moon might just become another project that could have been great but was stowed away to be handled by better hands, or wait until someone comes along to reboot it.
