It’s been pretty common knowledge since the beginning of the year that Neill Blomkamp was planning to follow the massive success of “District 9” not with a sequel or as was erroneously rumored at one time, “The Hobbit,” but with a project of his own creation called “Elysium.”
Details have been thin thus far on the sci-fi/horror project “Elysium,” except that it may or may not take place on another planet, and like “District 9,” it would be an action-based film with sociopolitical themes running throughout. Word has been quiet, but today it has been revealed that Sharlto Copley, who winningly played Wikus van de Merwe in Blomkamp’s feature debut, has come aboard the project and that the director is now seeking the rest of the cast and distribution for his gestating film.
Deadline reports that Blomkamp is taking meetings around town and not surprisingly, pretty much every studio is showing interest. Blomkamp continues to massage the budget and is also meeting with actor’s reps to help fill out the cast. Media Rights Capital are producing the film, and while they do have a deal in place with Universal, apparently the project is up for grabs presumably to the highest bidder.
Blomkamp is said to be showing a graphic novel as part of his presentation — a tactic he also used in the early days of “District 9” — but there’s no word yet if the mysterious “AGM Heartland” video that cropped up last month has anything to do with the project. Definitely some exciting news and good to hear that the project is moving forward. We presume this means it will go in front of cameras next year and we can’t wait to see Blomkamp’s sophomore effort.