It’s been a little over a week since the first audiences saw Zach Snyder’s Rebel Moon, and the reactions haven’t been the kindest. Originally pitched as an entry into the Star Wars canon, Rebel Moon isn’t technically attached to any franchise even if the influences are easy to spot. In her D- review for The A.V. Club, for example, Lauren Coates writes that “Snyder took heavy aesthetic and stylistic notes from genre classics like Star Wars and Dune, without understanding the story and emotional beats that made those aforementioned franchises so beloved.” The film currently sits at 24% on Rotten Tomatoes.
With an extended cut and a sequel already planned for early next year, the crew of the movie now finds themselves in the (to this writer, rather unenviable) position of continuing to promote and defend Rebel Moon. Up first: Kurt Johnstad, who wrote the screenplay beside Snyder and Shay Hatten. In a new interview with Variety, Johnstad downplays the comparisons to other franchises.
“It’s impossible not to be compared to Star Wars. They’re very different worlds. We’re trying to do very different things,” Johnstad tells the outlet. Acknowledging that George Lucas and Star Wars were hugely influential not just for sci-fi fantasy works but toward the Hollywood business model in general, Johnstad goes on to say, “Zack is trying to do something very different here that really hasn’t been done in a long time. This isn’t an IP. This is an original story. It’s being created by hundreds, if not thousands of technicians. That’s a really bold thing.”
Asked about the negative reviews, Johnstad offers a very diplomatic answer: “I don’t read the reviews, I never have. Critics have a job to do. We live in a democracy. Everybody gets to vote. If people watch the film, they’ll have an experience, and they will either enjoy it or they won’t.” Honestly, decent response; there isn’t a great answer when you’re asked about people not liking your work some seven days after its premiere.
You can check out the whole interview over on Variety.