Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire might not have overwhelmed critics upon release, but it’s certainly not without its own sci-fi charm. It’s largely what you’d expect from a Snyder movie: well-choreographed action sequences with a liberal use of slow motion, a slightly washed-out color palette, and a competent exploration of its themes kept rather close to the surface. Though many would dismiss the idea out of hand, Rebel Moon is actually the perfect contender to replace Star Wars as cinema’s foremost sci-fi franchise.
Synder’s film is the result of a decades-long pet project, which at one point was written to be part of the Star Wars franchise. However, Snyder’s eventual contract with Netflix saw Rebel Moon take on a life of its own, intended to start a new franchise under the director’s creative control. Though being part of an established franchise might have helped the first film’s initial performance, the decision to start an entirely new IP is something to be commended, as it demonstrates Snyder’s faith in his vision.
As Star Wars is one of the most popular sci-fi franchises in the world, suggesting that Rebel Moon could replace it sounds blasphemous. However, considering the elder franchise’s recent track record with critics and fans, a worrying trend begins to appear that suggests Snyder might actually become the king of modern sci-fi with his own franchise. In short, Rebel Moon could become the world’s foremost space opera in the years to come.
Rebel Moon Can Replace Star Wars With Pure Sci-Fi Escapism
Much of Star Wars‘ modern success is built purely on nostalgia. Recent movies in the franchise have been poorly received by fans, with many considering George Lucas’ original trilogy as the superior. In this regard, Star Wars has been afforded an almost mythic status within sci-fi circles, and despite the franchise’s quality, it has clearly been on something of a cinematic decline.
Enter Rebel Moon. A story reminiscent of that of Star Wars, with an evil imperial force bearing down on the worker classes, who choose to rise up in protest, feels like a classic space opera. The film’s use of multiple sci-fi tropes and ambitious world-building brings it even closer to the other franchise, and that’s actually something that can work to its advantage. As Rebel Moon operates without the lofty expectations of Star Wars movies, it could actually replace the franchise down the line.
As Star Wars comes with such a passionate fanbase, much of its content is picked apart and carefully considered alongside previous releases. Rebel Moon being free from this allows Snyder to tell stories of pure escapism, potentially recapturing the same feeling that made Star Was so popular in the first place. Though it will require a careful approach and some open-minded audiences, there’s a very real chance that Rebel Moon could replace Star Wars.
Unfortunately, it isn’t likely to happen. Star Wars‘ fanbase is so avid that Rebel Moon‘s similarities will undoubtedly prove to alienate much of its prospective audience. In that, it appears that the sci-fi genre might miss out on a huge opportunity to keep its fans happy for decades to come.