Neill Blomkamp Talks District 9 Sequel and Hollywood
By Laura Aguirre
Neill Blomkamp is turning down offers left and right. The South African newcomer recently made a name for himself with his mid-budget sci-fi alien film District 9. Now, Blomkamp is being offered films with huge budgets, however, he’s not having it. In a recent interview with LA Times‘ Hero Complex writer Geoff Boucher, the Johannesburg native shared his ideas about big-budget filmmaking, the Hollywood Machine, and a possible sequel for District 9.
Now I know what you’re thinking — sequels ruin perfectly great movies and are unnecessary. Blomkamp is very aware of that, which is why he’s thinking of prequel as a sequel.
“The concept of aliens in Johannesburg is such an appealing idea to me and the issues of race and how they meet. All of the things that I had going on with it. I wouldn’t mind messing around with it again. I’m open to it if the story works and there’s a reason to do it. And [Copley's character] Wikus is so funny to me, I’m very interested in a sort of passive racist like that. If you go forward [with his story beyond "District 9"] it’s more of a traditional film but if you go backward I’d be intrigued in that. I’m not so interested in aliens coming back and blowing things up but [a prequel] might be interesting.”
A prequel based on such an interesting character like Wikus does sound intriguing, but also tricky. On the other hand, seeing aliens come back a second time is completely overplayed by Michael Bay. Whatever Blomkamp decides to do, I trust him to do a good job; he has Peter Jackson by his side.
The interview is very honest and shows Blomkamp as a passionate filmmaker whose sole intention is to make a great film. After the success of District 9, I was certain that sooner or later the news would come that he had signed on to make a big-budget film for a huge picture, but that day has yet to come.
“I’ve been offered films – a lot of films, in fact – with seriously high budgets, and I’ve turned them all down. The reason is exactly what you said earlier: Once the budgets get bigger, you can’t do what you want as a director, unless you’re Peter Jackson or James Cameron. And even then, the pressure is still on the filmmaker. Even if the studio isn’t clamping down on you, all the pressure is on the director. And if you screw that up, the jeopardy situation is even worse. The way you don’t get yourself in that jeopardy situation is by making films that aren’t as risky financially. I just want to make films that have enough of a budget to pull off high-level imagery but also have a budget that is low enough that I can do what I want.”
Wow. Now that’s passion. Here’s a guy who really loves film. Blomkamp’s District 9 is proof that a big budget isn’t necessary to make an amazing movie (just like Michael Bay’s Transformers is proof that a big budget won’t make a great film). But what about A-list actors? Now that Blomkamp has proven himself as a good director, it will be easy to get someone like Will Smith or Angelina Jolie, right? Probably, but the director says, he’s not interested in that idea.
“I’m not particularly interested in working with movie stars. It depends on where you come from, I suppose. Why are you making films? The reason I want make films is because they convey ideas. I think some directors make films because they want to hang out with movie stars and be part of Hollywood. They want to be a star themselves. I’m not interested in that at all. I think the reason you use an actor is if they are right for the role. Most of the high-profile stars tend to be good actors. That’s probably what led to their fame. So if they are right for the movie, you can certainly use them. But I don’t want to, not at all. Stardom and Hollywood overpower the ideas and the film. That being said, it’s hard finding very good performers who aren’t well-known.”
Blomkamp was lucky enough to find a good enough actor, who wasn’t really an actor, for District 9 (Sharlto Copley), and the film still debuted at number one on opening weekend. According to Blomkamp, he doesn’t want “egos and personalities on the set that make it more difficult to make the film,” he wants the audience to focus on his story and the meaning of it. That is exactly why films should be watched (eye candy is not a priority, it shouldn’t be).
So what does the future hold for this passionate South African native? One thing is for sure, Blomkamp will stick with sci-fi for now because he’s into sociopolitical ideas. His next film is set 150 years into the future. Other than that, all we know is that Blomkamp will stick with his beliefs of using less money:
“You can do a lot for less now. It’s all about process, too. If go into it knowing what you want to accomplish, you can save money. If you go into it trying to figure out what you want, it’s going to cost a lot of money. The other aspect is trimming it down. It’s like a diet. Instead of 2,000 effects shots, you can probably do with 1,000. Those kinds of sacrifices are worth it if you get to make something that is not in any way generic.”
What do you think of Neill Blomkamp after this?
Further Reading:
Saturday, January 9, 2010 2:32PM
Sounds like a director who has a good head on his shoulders! Looking forward to his next film!
Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:25PM
Classic common-sense advice for all aspiring filmmakers!
Monday, January 11, 2010 4:49PM
Sounds like a brilliant director who is too scared of failure to achieve his full potential.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 6:26AM
I love his morales and drive behind his sequel to District 9 with keeping the cast filled with talented non "A" list celebrities, because of the great success with the first movie. But the only thing is in future films having a higher budget movie can expand the boundaries and limitations for the ideas he hasnt developed. Basically not going with a "Hollywood" cast is cool because a great director should be able to make wonders with what he/she is provided, but there's nothing wrong with having a hollywood budget movie if possible.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:06PM
@Mike
Maybe, but maybe he just likes to stay in control. With more money comes less control for him as a director. I for one am more likely to watch something with less known actors than something with say.. Brad Pit. That’s the reason why I haven’t even been remotely bothered to see Inglorious Basterds.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:45PM
I have to agree with Mike's comment too.
I do agree with most of Neil's comments about the Hollywood Machine and the big egotistical actors and the Hollywood industry gone wrong. But he came off as sounding more like he's afraid of trying a big budget because of the risk factor more than his convictions.
Great movies have come out of big budgets. Big budgets are not bad as long as you use it 'correctly.' Doesn't the saying go you can't win big if you don't risk big?
We need passionate/talented people like him to help change the big company Hollywood trash industry that's here today.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:47AM
I think if he goes back to when the ship first show up it would be really interesting, but it might lack some in action. Also if he does do a sequel he could go to the aliens' home planet where christopher (the prawn from d9) is planning a rescue or even an invasion. I really think that exploring that world would be amazing. Even if it is a short film that just comes out on DVD then he moves back to the "D10" No matter what he does I cannot wait to see it. I want it now!
Friday, February 5, 2010 6:20PM
Wow, Neill is the kind of director I admire. He is a rare person who turns down the offers of fame and fortune; instead he would rather stay the underdog.
Oh, and the reason Neill opts not to accept big budget projects is that the people that put up the funding place all kinds of restrictions on the director, such as forcing them to cast 'A' list actors and set the movie in certain places. Low budget or privately financed films give almost total freedom to the director, as shown in D9.
Neill, you probably will never read this, but I am your biggest fan!!! Thank you for District 9; it is the best movie I have seen in a very long time. I also enjoy your short film work, such as "Tempbot" and "Yellow". The concepts in Yellow are ones that I have often pondered myself, regarding artificial intelligence.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 2:33AM
me too.
Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:19PM
Great interview. I have longed for a director/filmmaker like Neil. Keep your movies dry, dark, subdued. Just like D9. We don't overly bright, pretty, colourful films that are loaded with cheese.
One thing though, please DO make a proper sequel. My challenge to you is do the sequel, have the aliens return, but keep it dark, keep it simple. Maybe it doesn't need to be an entire attack fleet returning! Focus on the characters like you did with D9 and I think it would be a real winner.
Love your work Neil.
Scott
Friday, December 17, 2010 1:26PM
He is the kind of actor I like but I think he should do a sequel… and no one said it had to be about aliens attacking the world… maybe they just have like a couple hundred aliens, some of the crime lords and MNU fighitng in Jahanis Burg (sorry for the spelling) civil war wall the main characer wikcus (again sorry I can't spell) is trying to get him to stop and still get back to being human. And I know he said it would be to typical to do aliens attacking but he is a smart and clever director and with Peter Jackson they could think of something really wise for the sequel so it isn't an every day alien movie like the first one. I think a good director is one who makes a typical style movie idea but changes and tweaks it to make it good.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:28PM
…or a brilliant director who wants to sip his drink and not slam it
Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:31PM
You are an inglorious bastard! jk…
Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:33PM
There's nothing wrong with a hollywood budget movie if it doesn't have anything to do with hollywood. Hollywood made movies are a hit and miss and more of a miss on that… they tend to ruin every idea they come across for film adaptations.