I could talk about Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 until I’m exhausted. It was one of my very favorite films of the summer and probably the year, and if you haven’t seen it you should. There’s been a lot of ballyhoo since its release regarding what director Blomkamp would choose to do next — the success of District 9 positioned him to do anything he wanted.
As it turns out, Blomkamp will be returning to science fiction. According to Variety, his new film will begin production in mid-2010, and the details are scarce. Says the director: “The film will hopefully be commercial, but it is very much a singular film, (one) that comes directly from me.”
So, we have a science fiction film that is going to be both supported more extensively by the studio system but also more of a personal venture for the talented director. I hope this isn’t a paradox.
District 9 cost only $30 million dollars, and with the production leadership of Peter Jackson, went on to gross over $180 million worldwide. You can bet your bottom dollar that whatever Blomkamp decides to do with his next film, he’ll easily have more than $30 million to back it up.
I just can’t wait to see it.
