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Wow, this is pretty awesome news. If you’re wondering what DISTRICT 9 mastermind Neill Blomkamp is up to next, we’ve got some info on that. Deadline is reporting that Sony Pictures will solely distribute his next film called ELYSIUM. Matt Damon and Jodie Foster are confirmed to headline the cast, sharing the screen with Blomkamp’s lucky charm and all-around awesome actor Sharlto Copley. Blomkamp and Copley’s previous effort (DISTRICT 9) generated $210 million worldwide on a modest $30 million budget, and lest you forget it was nominated for Best Picture. ELYSIUM will be financed by Media Rights Capital. Said to be a “big” movie, it’s going to be set 100 years in the future with loads of tech.
Now here comes the really cool part… ready? The sets are going to be designed by Syd Mead, who all you fellow nerds will recall designed the look and feel of BLADE RUNNER for Ridley Scott many years ago. Mead is said to be reluctant to work in films these days, but was so taken with DISTRICT 9 that he agreed to sign on for this new project. Pre-production begins in April with filming starting in July in Vancouver, then moving to Mexico City in the fall of 2011. Look for a 2012 holiday release… if we don’t all die in the whole Mayan end of the world thing.
Deadline also notes that MRC has given a green light to a second movie with Blomkamp called CHAPPIE, which should go into production immediately after ELYSIUM. Are you excited about this? Were you a fan of DISTRICT 9? Think Blomkamp is the next Spielberg? I for one think this is pretty cool stuff. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
