Sony Snaps Up Neill Blomkamp’s ‘Elysium;’ Director Will Make ‘Chappie’ Afterward
Well, that didn’t take long. It was just hours ago that wementionedthatElysium, the second feature fromDistrict 9directorNeill Blomkamp, had gone out to studios to find a distribution partner. And he quickly found one. Media Rights Capital put together a deal with Sony to distribute the film worldwide. That’s the studio that took a chance and scored big withDistrict 9.
But wait, there’s more. MRC also put together a more long-term deal with the director, and he’s already got a follow-up project penciled in to make afterElysium. Details on that after the break.
First up,Deadlinedelivers these scoops, and quotes from Mr. Blomkamp about his deal with Sony forElysium: “I literally could not be happier. I have a brilliant relationship with Sony. I loved them duringDistrict 9, they 100% get this film and they get me.Elysiumis in very good hands.” All well and good. You can’t argue with the way Sony handled his first movie, so this should work out well. And the studio is reportedly paying $120m for the rights to distribute Elysium, so let that be your indication of how much confidence the company has in this picture. (Hint: a lot.)
And now what of this other film?
All we’ve got is this: MRC, which has been backingElysiumand gave the director full reign to do what he wanted with the movie, has also greenlit a film calledChappie, which “will go into production immediately after Blomkamp completesElysium.” The director wroteChappie, and we know nothing of the script. Time to dig for details, because we’ve got zip on this one right now.
