AMERICAN filmmaker Zack Snyder has built a career out of flashy action sequences in epic movies that usually revolve around a ragtag team of characters that have to beat the odds.
He first gained the attention of moviegoers with his kinetic remake of the classic zombie movie, 'Dawn of The Dead', in 2004.
From then on, he has brought much excitement in the comic book movie genre with various spectacular adaptations that range from Dark Horse's '300' to the DC Comics series of superhero spectacles such as 'Watchmen', 'Man of Steel', 'Batman V Superman' and 'Justice League'.
With his latest offering, the two-part 'Rebel Moon', Snyder takes on a genre he describes as science-fantasy.
'Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire' is set to stream on Netflix on Dec 22, while 'Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver' will be released in April.
During a Netflix event in Tokyo, Japan, to promote the project, Snyder said the story was a straightforward one.
"A group of farmers visited by an evil empire that wants their supply of food for their soldiers.
"Faced with a choice to comply or fight back, they do the latter and head out to find warriors to rebel."
But the epic underdog story has been something the 57-year-old director has thought about for a very, very long time.
"The germination of the idea comes from 1977 when I first saw 'Star Wars' as an 11-year-old.
"I thought I could do something like that," he says enthusiastically before adding, "Well, maybe not as good, but close."
From then till 1987, all the movies he saw would contribute to an aesthetic leading to his latest offering.
"On one end are movies like 'Excalibur', 'Conan the Barbarian' and 'The Empire Strikes Back', as well as Akira Kurosawa films like 'Throne of Blood' and 'Seven Samurai'.
"At another end are things like 'Blue Velvet' and 'All That Jazz'."
Popular American sci-fi and fantasy magazine from that period, 'Heavy Metal', was also a big inspiration.
"It's what I used to read as a kid even though it was more suited to adults.
"My mother didn't realise that and got me a subscription thinking that it was just a regular comic book series."
"So it grew from that fertile ground."
Talking about an Asian influence in the form of anime, Snyder, who is a fan of Japanese works like 'Akira' and 'Demon Slayer', said it was inevitable.
"There's lots of sword fighting in the movie, even the action done in my other films must have been influenced in some way or another.
"Even with 'Man of Steel' we had talked about 'One Punch Man'.
"Anime action is very, very specific and awesome, so the texture and aesthetic is there and for sure very strong, but beyond that, I don't think it's particularly a Zack thing.
"'Seven Samurai' is an obvious reference though," he said.
His producer wife Deborah, who was also present, said it was an exciting but challenging endeavour.
"We'd been working on several DC projects which were restricted to its own canon, so this was very satisfying to do.
"It was exciting to create something wholly original, which also made it very challenging since everything just existed in Zack's head initially, so we had the task to make it come alive."
She said after the script was completed, they hired many artists to create the world of 'Rebel Moon'.
"He would sit with them as they drew the sets, costumes, aliens and different kinds of creatures.
"There was so much art produced that it took up the space of an entire soundstage for the purpose of presenting the vision we had during the pitching session to Netflix," she said.
Snyder, who co-wrote the screenplay, also serves as co-producer and cinematographer.
He added: "It was really fun creating this world with different languages and all of the intricate details even if it wasn't all present in the movie or if no one else noticed.
"The attention to detail was still there in order to make the world feel real and inherently believable to the viewer."
With his dream finally completed, Snyder said: "The 11-year-old Zack would be proud. Tired, but proud.
"But seriously, I'm very excited for everyone to watch and enjoy the movie."
In the movie, a peaceful settlement on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius.
This spurs Kora (played by Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, to eventually assemble a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds, who share a common need for redemption and revenge.
The new group of heroes will then have to make an impossible stand against the Motherworld.
'Rebel Moon' also stars Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae and Ray Fisher, with Charlie Hunnam and Anthony Hopkins.