What we know about Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon director’s cut

Ready to return to a galaxy far, far away? No, not that one. We’re talking about Zack Snyder’s Netflix franchise Rebel Moon — which is getting an extended director’s cut this week.

Originally conceived as a Star Wars spin-off movie before the Watchmen filmmaker decided to make it his own thing, Snyder’s first Rebel Moon movie landed in December 2023 and introduced us to a gritty galaxy filled with goodies, baddies and tomorrow’s tech.

At its core was an age-old battle between a power-hungry military force known as the Motherworld and a group of rogue Imperium soldiers hoping to topple them.

Read more: Has Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon gamble paid off for Netflix?

It may sound like a slightly familiar story but that hasn’t stopped Snyder from spreading it out into a high-end two-parter packed with its own lore, action and a seemingly never-ending list of impending director’s cut re-releases.

Here’s everything you need to know about the franchise.

Where can I watch Rebel Moon?

The original cuts of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon films are available to stream on Netflix now — and will soon be followed by the director’s cut.

Part One: A Child of Fire hit the streaming service in December 2023, and was followed by Part Two: The Scargiver in April 2024.

What is Rebel Moon about?

Rebel Moon is set on Veldt, a small farming moon that comes under attack from a military force known as the Motherworld.

When their leader, the sadistic Atticus Nobel, threatens Veldt’s humble citizens, a rebellion forms led by Kora, a farmer who quickly finds herself as the face of an army bent on bringing the Motherworld to its knees.

The official synopsis reads: “Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Motherworld, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants, and orphans of war who share a common need for redemption and revenge.

“As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a new army of heroes is formed.”

Who’s in the cast?

Sofia Boutella plays Kora, the warrior who becomes known as the fabled Scargiver. Meanwhile, Ed Skrein plays her Motherworld enemy Noble.

Thankfully, Kora has the support of her fellow rebels including Djimon Hounsou’s General Titus, Michiel Huisman’s farmer Gunnar, Doona Bae’s swordsmith Nemesis and Staz Nair’s nobleman blacksmith Tarak. Anthony Hopkins lends his voice to robo-knight Jimmy.

A bunch of new characters join the franchise in the second part. These include Cary Elwes and Rhian Rees King and Queen, Fra Fee as Kora’s evil adoptive father Regent Balisarius, Stuart Martin as a local famer, Alfonso Herera as a warrior for Noble, Elise Duffy as rebel fighter Millius and Charlotte Maggie as farm girl Sam.

Does Rebel Moon have a director’s cut?

Yes, the two-part director’s cut for Snyder’s Rebel Moon odyssey will land on Netflix on Friday, 2 August.

In addition to featuring more than an hour of new footage across both parts, Snyder’s space film will reportedly be “sexier” and “bloodier” and feature two new titles. Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire will now be known as Rebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood, with Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver becoming Rebel Moon – Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness.

According to an accompanying press release, Snyder’s director’s cut will follow “a peaceful settlement on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe [that] finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius” with “Kora, a mysterious stranger living among the villagers” becoming their last hope for survival.

Elsewhere, Snyder has called his repackaged two-parter “a legitimate extended universe version.”

“You really get to see a lot. It’s just more painted-in all the way,” he added, revealing that he also shot scenes specifically for this director’s cut offering.

The director’s cut of Rebel Moon will be released on Netflix on Friday, 2 August