ROTTEN TOMATOES: Jackson, Blomkamp Heading for District 9

Jackson, Blomkamp Heading for District 9

Who needs Halo anyway?

by Jeff Giles | November 02, 2007

Their plans to bring Halo to the screen might be on hold, but Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp aren't letting that keep them from having a little live-action sci-fi fun.

Variety reports that Jackson and Blomkamp have moved on to another project, titled District 9, for their next collaboration (and Blomkamp's feature directing debut). Blomkamp will direct from a script he wrote with Terri Tatchell, and Jackson will produce. According to Variety, production is scheduled to begin this spring in South Africa. From the article:

The project grew out of a kinship that developed between Jackson and Blomkamp in New Zealand as they prepped a movie adaptation of the Microsoft game "Halo." Even though that process halted when co-financiers Universal and Fox balked at going forward, Blomkamp never left. Rather, he and Jackson continued to bat around ideas until they agreed on "District 9."

"For the last year, my team and I have had the pleasure of working very closely with Neill," Jackson said. "He has a passion and a command of the language of cinema that will result in 'District 9' fascinating people all over the world."

Source: Variety

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(1-15 of 15 posts) | Reply

Socratores writes:
on Nov 02 2007 04:57 AM

Anything that will keep their minds of that awfull Halo feature.

(Reply to this)

xenogears writes:
on Nov 02 2007 06:20 AM

So, what is "District 9", a Halo-mini?

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dahluzz writes:
on Nov 02 2007 06:43 AM

the halo movie being sidelined is one of the biggest head scratchers i can remember. what is it about the most popular video game franchise of all time with peter jackson producing that doesn't sound like a huge hit for the studios? point taken, video game adaptations have tended to do less-than-stellar business, but it's not like any of them have been particularly well made. Halo has already expanded to bestselling books, illustrating that people care about the mythology of the series, not just the games. If District is anything but horrible, you will see Halo on the fast track. props to jackson and blompy for doing they own thang.

(Reply to this)

Heath Huxall writes:
on Nov 02 2007 07:00 AM

Personally, I agree with you dahluzz, but oh well. 'District 9' sounds interesting, if only because it is mysterious. If Jackson is backing him, then I have a lot of confidence in the Blomkamp.

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fuj_ball writes:
on Nov 02 2007 08:41 AM

Is that a couple districts down from B13? If so, I'll watch it.

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bigteddyt writes:
on Nov 02 2007 09:14 AM

i was thinking the same thing fuj, and was seriously trying to remember the name of that film, hoping this was not a remake of B13. And about Halo, i absolutely HATE playing halo. hate it. i actually don't even play it, i wait to respawn the whole effing time, but i was more than excited to see the movie when i heard about it. if you've seen the "art of halo" books, i think you'd also be pretty stoked.

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aburger writes:
on Nov 02 2007 09:32 AM

This might end up working out for us. Now we can actually see if this guy has any real directing talent. I'd rather he screw up 'District 9' than 'Halo.' But, who knows, he may have some real skill and we could eventually be in for one hell of a Halo movie.

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Snarebeast writes:
on Nov 02 2007 09:35 AM

Oh, the guy definitely has skill. Whether he can carry a full feature has yet to be seen but I thought the Halo minis were actually pretty well done. And Alive in Josburg is one of the coolest shorts I've ever seen.

So I guess if anything he's an awesome shorts director.

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aburger writes:
on Nov 02 2007 09:44 AM

The Halo minis were actually pretty cool. Where can I find his other work? I'd be interested to see what else he's done.

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CtrlAltDestroy writes:
on Nov 02 2007 09:56 AM

Feeewwww, what a releif, instead of getting some cheesy Halo movie it sounds like there going to do something decent, lets face it people, the material for a halo movie isn't there, Halo has such an idiotic storyline (not to mention overrated gameplay).

Of course there are a light of sheep that buy into the hype and beleive Halo is the future of gaming. And I call it hype because if you look at the user ratings vs. the critical ratings for Halo you will notice a bit of a discrepency. There is a significant number of users that have rated Halo well below the perfect ratings most gaming web sites give it.

This just goes to show you can't keep regurgatating the same game and just polishing it a little - Halo a system seller? I think not

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rgallitan writes:
on Nov 02 2007 10:39 AM

Good. I never liked Blomkamp's vision for Halo, but, as I said last time, I don't believe he ever really had a vision for Halo - just a vision of SOME gritty sci-fi somethingorother, and Halo became the vehicle. Maybe this Project 9 thing will be a more appropriate vehicle.

Anyway, there's been so much talk about this kid. It's about time to see what he's made of.

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Metafact writes:
on Nov 02 2007 11:17 AM

I agree, rgallitan. Blomcamp's "gritty" vision of Halo never appealed to me and I'm at a loss as to why Peter Jackson is so intent on making this guy the director instead of just helming the film himself.

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manenam writes:
on Nov 02 2007 06:36 PM

Yes Metafact, that is what is most interesting about it for me too. I was actually thinking that Jackson was playing both producing and directing, but with the new highlights I found out him being only the producer. At the same time I'm releaved that the project is pendent, because I was willing to get to know better the project Halo first of all and I'm waiting still until I'll buy the game. I don't really believe the idea will be forever forgotten, but if there's no studios support then better to stay like this for now. And maybe waiting a while we will have the opportunity to see Peter Jackson directing.

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High School With Money writes:
on Nov 04 2007 11:18 AM

If Leito is anywhere near this movie, it might be worth a look. I'm just hoping that "District 9" isn't code for "Plan 9".

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Tony the gay rapist writes:
on Mar 06 2008 10:13 PM

this has to be a cover up title like blue harvest was for star wars. i hope

(Reply to this)