Zack Snyder is gearing up to release his Director’s Cut of Rebel Moon, which has gotten fans asking why was there a need for the original version at all. Widely panned by critics, the Rebel Moon duology, which Snyder intends to make as big as its inspiration, Star Wars, has its dedicated fan base, but there is hope that this new iteration of the film will help the IP win some fans who were unimpressed by the previous entries.
Keanu Reeves will also be coming to Netflix with an IP of his creation, BRZRKR, which could fare better with audiences compared to Rebel Moon. Created by Reeves with writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney, the comic is set to be adapted into live-action with Reeves starring in the production, along with an anime adaptation of the material.
Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR will likely outperform Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon
While Rebel Moon had a lot of hype around it, the film had a hard time finding the kind of acclaim that it expected. However, given that Netflix will probably be looking to fill up its ranks with quality science fiction adaptations in the wake of multiple sci-fi juggernauts of the streaming giant coming to an end, BRZRKR, with all the critical acclaim it brings with it, is a welcome bet after the blunder that was Rebel Moon.
While a director’s cut can change things for the franchise, it is unlikely that the release will bring in anyone who isn’t already into the Rebel Moon IP. However, Keanu Reeves‘ BRZRKR is an established brand that already has a significant following, with over 600,000 copies of the first issue sold. BRZRKR might seem a little similar to another Netflix adaptation, namely The Old Guard, as the comic similarly follows an immortal warrior fighting it out through time.
Netflix will be losing some of its biggest flagship shows in the coming years
Netflix will be seeing a ton of its major IPs come to an end, chief among them The Umbrella Academy and Stranger Things. While other high-budget projects like The Sandman can hold the fort, Netflix would be keen on re-establishing the pillars that these shows filled, in a bid to retain fans of these IPs with similar products.
While Rebel Moon and BZRKR might just be the start, Netflix needs to figure out a sustainable pipeline of content that can similarly retain fans for a few years before overextending its welcome. The streaming service could not only benefit from more adaptations of original works, but it would also be in its interest to have them ready before their predecessors finish airing on the service.
The Directro’s Cut of Rebel Moon is set to release on August 2nd, 2024.