Summary
The long-awaited director’s cuts of Zack Snyder’sRebel Moonmovies aren’t just getting a fancy new R-rating; they’ve been given fancy new titles, too. The first part, originally released asRebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, has been renamedRebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood. The second part, originally released asRebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, has been renamedRebel Moon – Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness. While the originals were rated PG-13, these director’s cuts will be rougher, grittier R-rated fare. The new titles hint at the darker material to expect in the R-rated versions.
Netflix has announced that it’llrelease bothRebel Moondirector’s cuts on August 2. They previously waited four months between the first and secondRebel Moonfilms in their initial PG-13 releases. But since the story has already been told and there are no surprises to be expected (except all the sexual content and graphic violence allowed by the more lenient R-rating), the streamer is dropping both director’s cuts on the same day. Snyder has promised that the director’s cuts are two completely different movies, and he’s given them each a new title to reflect that.
How Many Rebel Moon Movies Will There Be?
The first two Rebel Moon movies are confirmed and will appear on Netflix, but Zack Snyder has plans to expand his new space opera further.
Rebel Moon Chapter One: Chalice Of Blood Title Explained
Princess Issa is “The Chalice” and Kora spilled her blood
The original title of the firstRebel Moonfilm,A Child of Fire, referred to Kora escaping from her previous life serving the Imperium. It set up her redemption arc as she came out of the fire and into the light to liberate Veldt from the Imperium’s oppression. The new title for the R-rated version,Chalice of Blood, refers to a different character. “The Chalice” is one of the nicknames given toPrincess Issa, the child saviorwho was expected to end all wars in the universe (she was also referred to as “Pueri Salvatoris” and “The Redeemer”).
The darkest mistake of Kora’s past was turning her gun on the princess and shooting her in a brutal coup organized by Balisarius. The title could be referring to this:when Kora spilled the blood of the child savior known as “The Chalice,” the chalice filled with blood. The mention of blood could also be a more direct reference to the director’s cut’s added violence. The PG-13Rebel Moonfilms were a relatively bloodless affair, but the R-rated versions are promising boundary-pushing gore, and the use of the word “blood” in the title might be an extension of that promise.
Rebel Moon Chapter Two: Curse Of Forgiveness Title Explained
Princess Issa forgave Kora, but it didn’t make the guilt any easier to process
The original title of the secondRebel Moonfilm,The Scargiver, referred to Kora reclaiming the nickname she earned as one of the Imperium’s top killers. Rather than inflicting scars in the name of the Imperium, Kora would instead inflict scars upon the Imperium and its loyal servants. The new title for the director’s cut,Curse of Forgiveness, similarly refers to Kora’s dark past.The Scargiver’s most shocking flashback showed Kora’s attempted assassination of Princess Issa. As she lay dying, the princess used what was assumed to be her last breath to forgive Kora.
In the years since that attempted killing, Kora has been tormented by that forgiveness. Princess Issa used her dying moments to forgive Kora for killing her, butKora didn’t necessarily deserve that forgiveness. She still had to live with what she did. Just because the princess was ridiculously good-natured enough to forgive her murderer at the scene of the crime, it didn’t make it any easier for Kora to deal with the guilt. That’s the “curse of forgiveness” that the title refers to. Kora is cursed by the forgiveness of a child she tried to kill.
Why The Rebel Moon Director’s Cut Titles Are Different
It ties into Snyder’s promise that they’re completely different movies
When Netflix announced that it would be releasing both PG-13 and R-rated versions of Snyder’sRebel Moonfilms, it was easy to dismiss it as a marketing stunt. Snyder has become obsessed with director’s cuts since theJustice Leaguedebacle and Netflix’s top priority is to get as many “minutes watched” as possible. But the release of two versions ofRebel Moonwas actually the result of a compromise between the streaming giant and the filmmaker.Snyder wanted R-ratedRebel Moonmoviesand Netflix wanted PG-13-ratedRebel Moonmovies, so they agreed to make both.
Ever since the announcement of these R-rated director’s cuts, Snyder has repeatedly insisted that they’re completely different movies than the PG-13 versions. They’re not just the original versions with more blood in the action scenes and fewer cuts in the sex scenes; they’re a totally different experience of theRebel Moonsaga. Giving the R-rated versions their own titles ties into Snyder’s promise that they’re not just the same movies; they’re their own thing.
Rebel Moon
Cast
From director Zack Snyder comes Rebel Moon, a sci-fi action movie set in the depths of space and following a colony that is facing the threat of Regent Balisarius. Sofia Boutella plays a warrior charged with recruiting others in the fight against the tyrant, and his unstoppable forces that are dead set on conquest.
