Neill Blomkamp, the director of the science fiction event of 2013, Elysium, made his name in sci-fi with District 9. That excellent film provided a gritty, memorable story, and solidified Blomkamp’s place as an expert of the genre. Because of this, many wanted him to have a shot at Star Wars: Episode VII, or at least one of the new Disney Star Wards films. In a recent interview with IGN, Blomkamp stated why he isn’t interested in Star Wars, and gave a bit of insight into another much anticipated project.
First, his thoughts on Star Wars. He said that while he’s a huge fan of the franchise, he doesn’t think directing one of the films is something he’d be interested in taking on. Check out that full quote below.
“No. I don’t think so. I love Star Wars. I really, really love Star Wars. But I’m not the right guy. And also, just taking ideas that already exist in Hollywood is just not for me.”
That’s a bit disappointing, especially since Blomkamp is my top pick to handle a Boba Fett spin-off film, but perhaps if that specific situation presents itself he’d change his mind. What he says about wanting to work on his own projects is very understandable though. There’s only so many films a director can make, and if he’s got a brain filled to the brim with ideas, why not give the world as many of those as possible.
On the note of his brilliant ideas, Blomkamp did say he still very much wants to make a sequel to District 9, but he isn’t sure when he’ll be able to take on that film. Check out what he had to say about that project below.
“I really want to make a District 9 sequel. I genuinely do. The problem is I have a bunch of ideas and stuff that I want to make. I’m relatively new to this – I’m about to make my third film, and now the pattern that I’m starting to realise is very true is that you lock yourself into a film beyond the film you’re currently working on. But it just doesn’t work for me.
I don’t know if it works for other directors, but the amount of ideas and the amount of different places I want to go through the duration of making one film, means that I have no idea what else I want to do during that process. I only know at the end. So if I say I want to make District 10, and then I have 50 ideas while I’m making [my next film] Chappie, and when I get to the end I don’t want to make it, it’s not a good place to be at. But I know I want to make District 10 at some point.”
If Blomkamp has an idea, then I definitely want to see this sequel. District 9 is one of the premier sci-fi films to hit theaters in recent years, and it certainly left me wanting more. That being said, I’m not opposed to completely fresh ideas from Blomkamp either. After his work on Chappie gets underway, we’ll likely be able to get a clearer picture of where he’s headed next. Just know I’m excited about whatever that project is.
What do you think of Neill Blomkamp working on a District 9 sequel? Are you upset he won’t be making a Star Wars film? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.