There’s been a bit of a trend lately where director’s cuts are announced before the release of the more theatrical version of projects. Such is the case with Zack Snyder’s first two Rebel Moon instalments. As 2024 movie schedule saw the release of the variant known as Part Two: The Scar Giverthat film was canceled with the future release of two extended, R-rated versions before the summer was out. Now we have our look at what is being touted as the “true vision” of the franchise, with two new titles and a bloody and sexy adventure that more than earns an R rating.
Thanks to Netflix releasing this NSFW Red Band trailer for Rebel Moon: The Director’s Cutwe get a pretty good indication of what this duology has been hiding for so long. With a more anatomically gaudy robot, blood explosions and Ed Skrein going crazy with some tentacles, this is more like the Zack Snyder we’ve come to know and love.
If you take a look at the newly revealed teaser art for Rebel Moon: The Director’s Cutyou can start to see the difference:
As I previously mentioned in my Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire reviewcould be felt Guardian the director’s more accessible playthrough of this story pulls its punches to a painful degree. Looking at the bits that Snyder and Netflix are willing to reveal right now, that point of view is more than justified.
Of course, the real question is just how these extended and re-dubbed clips change the story we’ve already seen. In that regard, we’ve had some promising teases from Rebel Moon co-writer Kurt Johnstad, thanks to CinemaBlend’s interview with Johnstad reveals a “grittier and sexier” approach to these new cuts. However, there is one point in particular that I eagerly await the expanded lore behind; and it’s all thanks to Jimmy the Robot (Anthony Hopkins).
Kurt Johnstad teased Jimmy’s role expansion i Rebel Moon: The Director’s Cut also. Knowing that the character has a lot more to his story than previously shown is something I’ve been excited about. Between these extended versions of both previous films and Netflix announcement for The Senchal podcast, which chronicles Jimmy’s 500-year history before the events of the film, this story is ready to jump into high gear.
The aim for a much bigger one Rebel Moon universe has been discussed for a long time and now we are starting to see the effort bear fruit Director’s Cut. Proposed as the first entry in a six-chapter saga, with each installment split into two halves, there could be a lot more of Zack Snyder’s vision on the way.
Of course, it will depend on the public reaction to Chapter One: Chalice of Blood and Chapter Two: The Curse of Forgiveness; and we will get to witness it firsthand soon enough. That’s thanks to both parts of Director’s Cut will be available to stream with Netflix subscriptionstarting August 2.
In the meantime, you can currently catch the PG-13 versions, respectively dubbed A child of fire and The scar donor. And for those of you who want to start your journey into The Senchalthe prequel podcast will release one episode each week, starting on July 29.
