Zack Snyder’s ‘Star Wars’ Pitch Was a ‘Big Ask’ Since It Had No Pre-Existing Characters and an R-Rating: ‘That Was Almost a Non-Starter

The space opera "Rebel Moon" by Zack Snyder is coming to Netflix at the end of the year, but if the "Justice League" director's original plan for the project had worked out, it would have been a "Star Wars" movie. The thought for "Revolutionary Moon" began as a pitch for a Snyder-coordinated "Star Wars" film that Lucasfilm heard after Disney gained the studio in 2012 for $4.05 billion. Snyder made his pitch to Lucasfilm for "Star Wars" while "Man of Steel" was in post-production.

Snyder said in another meeting with Domain magazine that "a 'Star Wars' film" was "my unique idea" for "Renegade Moon," adding, "It was 'Seven Samurai' in space. I was aware that many of Kurosawa's films were where George Lucas got his start.

To enlarge the Mega Menu Variety Plus Icon, click HOME FILM NEWS on July 3, 2023 at 11:08 a.m. PT. Zack Snyder's "Star Wars" pitch was a "Big Ask" because it had an R-Rating and no existing characters. That Was Almost a Non-Starter' by Zack Sharf and Icon Zack Snyder Mike Coppola/Getty Images Popular on Variety Zack Snyder's space opera "Rebel Moon" is coming to Netflix at the end of the year. However, if the "Justice League" director's initial plan for the project had succeeded, it would have been a "Star Wars" movie. After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion, Lucasfilm received a pitch for a "Star Wars" movie directed by Snyder. This pitch served as the basis for the concept for "Rebel Moon." Snyder was in after creation on "Man of Steel" when he made his "Star Wars" pitch to Lucasfilm.

In a recent interview with Empire magazine, Snyder said that "Rebel Moon" was "my original concept" for a "Star Wars" movie, adding, "It was "Seven Samurai" in space." I was aware that many of Kurosawa's films were where George Lucas got his start.

"The deal [of Lucasfilm to Disney] had simply occurred," Snyder proceeded. " Who knows what was possible through that window, you know? "I don't want any of your characters," I said. I just want to do my own thing on the side and not work with any known characters. Also, initially I was like, 'It ought to be mature rated!' That was almost unthinkable.

Snyder was fully aware that his "Star Wars" pitch would be difficult to sell due to the lack of existing characters and the possibility of an R-rated story.

Snyder stated, "I knew it was a big ask, to be honest." But the more I got into it, the more I realized that it probably would never be what I wanted.

"Rebel Moon" is a space drama that follows a young lady living in a quiet province on the edges of the universe. She is tasked with finding warriors capable of repelling an approaching invasion by the tyrannical Regent Balisarius. Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Ray Fisher, Doona Bae, Jena Malone, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, and Michiel Huisman are all in the cast.

"Rebel Moon" was composed as one film, however Netflix became reluctant after Snyder conveyed a 172-page draft. "Rebel Moon" would have lasted approximately three hours at that length. After that, the studio and the filmmaker came to an agreement to split the project into two films, the first of which will be released in December. Additionally, Snyder stated earlier this year to Vanity Fair that each film will receive two cuts. One cut is a movie that "anyone can enjoy and watch," while the other cut is more graphic and only for adults.

Snyder added, "I think it will be fun for people who are fans of mine and people who are ready to take a deeper, harder dive."

Netflix will release "Rebel Moon" on December 22.