Anthony Hopkins Joins The Cast Of Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'

Actor Anthony Hopkins has become the latest famous face to join the cast of Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated “Rebel Moon.”

The two-time Academy Award winner has earned acclaim for his role in “The Silence of the Lambs.” He earned his second Oscar for his role in “The Father.” His next role is in the drama “Armageddon Time,” which received acclaim at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. He will also be appearing in the thriller “Zero Contact.”

Deadline reported the casting news on Wednesday morning. The film will also star an ensemble cast of Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Stuart Martin, Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Michiel Huisman, Alfonso Herrera, Ed Skrein, Cleopatra Coleman, Fra Fee, Rhian Rees, Jena Malone, E. Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, Sky Yang, and Staz Nair.

“The Princess Bride” star Cary Elwes will play the “king” of a tyrannical regime, whereas Sofia Boutella plays a young woman trying to defend her peaceful colony located at the edge of the colony. Hopkins will reportedly voice Jimmy, a sentient JC1435 mechanized battle robot and former defender of the slain King.

The film had originated as a “Star Wars” film that Snyder had pitched to creator George Lucas over a decade ago. However, Lucas sold the rights to Disney in 2012, and Snyder’s “mature” Star Wars film was not well-received by Disney, who took the franchise in a different direction with a sequel trilogy. Still, Snyder did not give up on his idea and repurposed it into his new movie. The rights were quickly picked up by Netflix.

According to Deadline, “Atomic Blonde” star Sofia Boutella is playing the leader of a peaceful colony that is located on the edge of the galaxy. When a tyrannical army called the Regent Balisarius (not the Galactic Empire) threatens their existence, they’re forced to take a stand against their oppressors.

They dispatch a young woman to find warriors (not Jedi) on neighboring planets to help them defend their home. Although there are still subtle nods to its Star Wars origins woven throughout the plot, fans can’t wait to see what original elements the “Man Of Steel” director has in store for fans.

Back on December 29, 2021, the “Dawn of the Dead” director took to social media platform Vero to share the first look at some “Rebel Moon” concept art.

“We are in full swing heading towards principal photography in a few months,” Snyder wrote in the caption. It's easy to imagine how the black figures marching toward the viewer were supposed to be Stormtroopers in an initial version of the script.

On Tuesday, the "Army of the Dead" creator posted a short clip of a new character from the film to Twitter to celebrate the second day of Netflix's Geeked Week.

"Forging ahead. Here’s a recent makeup test I shot on my iPhone," he wrote in the caption as a horned figure stares down the camera.

"i think i speak for us all when i say, HOLY S---!!!!!!!!!" Netflix commented on the video.

"Oh man. We are in for more greatness," another fan wrote.

On April 19, Snyder shared a few photos of the production on the first day of filming. “Day 1 #RebelMoon. It’s begun,” he wrote in the caption.

“Stars wars about to get its competition,” one fan commented.

“When George Lucas created star wars it was cause he couldn't do Flash Gordon. When Zack Snyder created Rebel Moon it was cause he couldn't do Star Wars,” another fan wrote. “We're witnessing cinematic history. We're living it. Breathe it in.”

It's rumored that the first part of the movie will hit Netflix in 2023. The second part of the two-part movie might hit Netflix in 2024 or later.