After spending the past few years working with the streamer on zombie apocalypses and space operas,Zack Snyderis teaming with Netflix for a new kind of movie. Snyder is one of the most talked-about filmmakers in the modern industry, particularly in the comic book genre sphere, having found early success adapting300andWatchmenfor the screen before going on to helplaunch the DC Extended UniversewithMan of Steel. More recently, he has worked with Netflix for both theArmy of the DeadandRebel Moonfranchises, as well as the animated showTwilight of the Gods.
The Hollywood Reporterhas brought word thatSnyder is reuniting with Netflix for his next movie. The untitled project is said to be a career-first for the filmmaker, moving away from the blockbuster-scale genre to a grounded action-thriller centered on an “elite LAPD unit that is relentlessly confronted with the unforgiving collision of law and morality.” Snyder is not only directing, but also co-writing the movie with his frequent collaborator Kurt Johnstad of300andRebel Moonnotoriety, among others.
Snyder will also produce alongside his wife Deborah Snyder and their producing partner Wesley Coller via their Stone Quarry banner. The filmmaker also shared a statement with the publication, recalling howSnyder and Netflix’s head of film had a discussion about the movie “years ago"and expressing his excitement to move forward with its development. See what Snyder said below:
Years ago, Dan [Lin, Netflix’s head of film] and I had a conversation about our shared interest in telling a compelling and visceral character-driven story set within the intense, complex and captivating landscape of the LAPD. It’s a conversation that has stuck with me. So, as you would expect, I’m very excited to now have the opportunity to partner with Dan, along with the rest of my amazing partners at Netflix, in developing this story.
What This Means For Snyder’s Career
He May Be Eyeing A Change Of Pace
Though little information is currently known about the movie,Snyder’s new project could indicate his desire to move away from the VFX-heavy movies he’s best known for. After having started his career on more modest ground with the2004 remake ofDawn of the Dead, the director has brought to life a variety of worlds, half of which have been on the cosmic side of things, particularly given the DCEU was meant to build toward Darkseid as the Justice League’s main antagonist before the superhero team’s crossover movie endured production troubles.
Even outside of the comic book genre, Snyder’s original projects have generally been ones set in some kind of fantastical environment requiring large budgets and extensive CGI. Some of the more notable include his cult favorite 2011 thrillerSucker Punch, about a troubled woman locked in a psychiatric institution traveling to fantasy worlds to plan an escape, andhisStar Wars-inspiredRebel Moonfranchiseon Netflix. Though his Netflix movie could easily rack up a big budget by building a stacked cast and focusing on practical effects, it will still be his first to tell a grounded story.
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.
Interestingly, the moviecould also signal Snyder’s desire to move toward similarly grounded stories in the future.WhileArmy of the Deadand its prequelArmy of Thieves, only the former of which he directed, while the latter he produced and co-developed the story, were both decently received by critics and audiences alike, bothRebel Moonmovies were generally dismissed by both groups, even while their director’s cuts saw somewhat mixed responses. As such, he may want to go for more modestly scaled movies going forward as something of a creative reset.
Our Take On Snyder’s LAPD Netflix Movie
He Could Enjoy A Similar Redemption Story To Another Blockbuster Director
Though the two took different paths in their overall careers, with the new movie’s announcement, I find myself drawing an immediate connection betweenZack Snyderand Michael Bay. The latter is similarly best known for his blockbuster productions, the majority of which have seen poor reviews from critics, but his last effort in the director’s chair with 2022’sAmbulancewas seen as something of a redemption moviefor him by returning to a more grounded story. Should Snyder take a similar approach to his film, I’m very confident it will serve as something of a creative rebound for him.
