When Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon hit theaters on December 15th 2023 for a limited screening, it did not receive a lot of positive responses from critics and audiences. Subsequently, its premier on Netflix changed its fortunes tremendously, with fans lapping it up and praising Snyder’s unique directorial touches. Now, the Man Of Steel filmmaker is set to release an extended cut of the movie on Netflix in August.
In his social media handle, Snyder revealed details of his Director’s Cut which will be presented in two chapters. But the filmmaker’s reputation with audiences has always been hot and cold. While his ardent fans were extremely eager to see this version, his detractors, who were brutal in their criticism of the movie, once again trolled him.
Zack Snyder Faces Flak Ahead Of Rebel Moon Director’s Cut
Through his work with the DC franchise and outside of it, Zack Snyder is regarded as one of most creative and progressive directors in Hollywood. On the other hand, his films have also been severely criticized by many viewers for his cinematic choices and narratives. His epic space opera Rebel Moon is a case in point.
The film did not set the box office alight upon its release, with a cross-section of viewers coming down hard on it. Its arrival on Netflix though, brought a lot of positive responses that helped largely to reduce the negativity surrounding it, which then encouraged the director to bring out an extended cut of the film.
REBEL MOON – THE DIRECTOR’S CUTS
Chapter One: Chalice of Blood
Chapter Two: Curse of ForgivenessAugust 2, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/gVsKSGoOJ0
— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) June 11, 2024
In his X handle, Snyder officially made the announcement that the Director’s Cut of Rebel Moon will release on Netflix, and will be divided into two parts titled Chalice of Blood and Curse of Forgiveness. This is like a shot in the arm for the Watchmen director’s ardent fans who have been eagerly awaiting this version following the stupendous reception for Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
But not everyone on social media is excited at the prospect. Many netizens, who believed that Rebel Moon was a disaster, felt that Snyder was digging a deeper hole for himself by making a Director’s Cut, and stated their opinion in no uncertain terms.
How about getting right the first time?!
— Victor fã do cody (@vitines22) June 11, 2024
Bro. Quit while you’re ahead. Rebel moon was a boring travesty with more plot holes and failings than an Abrams film.
— BKT (@astraaska) June 11, 2024
Not even a directors cut can save these movies 😂
— Dome (@YourBoyDome) June 11, 2024
Stop this dude. Either make the movie you want to make, or just stop making films. I thought you were a producer, do you just never have control of your own damn projects? Enough.
— Joshua (@TheCameraWall) June 11, 2024
Zack I’m your biggest fan but your rebel moon films were awful
— AJ @PTE "West Gone Crazy" Geopolitics Anti-Woke (@KoutureMag) June 11, 2024
Disaster
— 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 (@iParadox) June 11, 2024
These brutal comments ahead of the release of the extended cut is a worrying sign for Snyder. But positive or negative responses aside, the director is known to take these comments in his stride and trust his cinematic instincts. August 2nd will determine if these instincts are proven right.
Zack Snyder’s Take On Criticisms And The Future Of Film Appreciation
Being Zack Snyder is like being on a continuous roller coaster ride of emotions. Over the years, the filmmaker has not only been a huge inspiration for many fans and aspiring artists, but has also been a victim of severe backlash when it comes to his films and creative choices.
The 300 director’s work has stood out for his alternative take on characters and narratives in the DC franchise, while also pushing the envelope in terms of visualization and creativity. In addition, Snyder’s works have also been R-rated owing to the language, violence, and certain emotionally mature content that is depicted in them.
While these aspects have worked for a lot of hardcore fans, they have also been criticized by audiences who have felt that his unorthodox tweaking of scripts did not bode well for cinema. Snyder addressed this chequered relationship with the public on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
The Watchmen filmmaker took on focus groups in movies who are utilized by filmmakers in an effort to get feedback on their work and improve on it before releasing it to the public. These groups which usually focused on mainstream content that would be more palatable to the public, did not fit in with the kind of art that Snyder believed in and wanted to create.
He elaborated further by citing the example of The Snyder Cut and said that while a lot of people did not like what he did with the film, he believed that by not supporting this kind of cinema, they were unconsciously demeaning the art form and embracing mediocrity despite stating that they wanted to to see quality content.
You may love or hate my movies, I’m 100% fine with that, but a vote against me is a vote for the focus groups. Know by saying ‘Snyder sucks’ you’re also saying “you know what? give me more focus groups! I want Happy Meals!
The Man of Steel filmmaker went on to add that this trend would then begin to demean all the work done by great directors who are constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity through every film they make.
Rebel Moon is streaming on Netflix.
