District 9 Sequel In The Works

Director Neill Blomkamp has announced on Twitter that a District 10 screenplay is being co-written by himself, Sharlto Copley, and Terri Tatchell. The trio have previously collaborated on 2015’s Chappie and this upcoming film’s predecessor, 2009’s District 9.

Beyond this terse, although incredibly exciting and highly anticipated bit of information, literally nothing else is yet known about the film–which makes sense, since it obviously hasn’t been written yet. District 9, which was an adaptation from Blomkamp’s 2006 short film Alive in Joburg, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was widely praised by fans and critics alike for its nuanced exploration of humanity, xenophobia, and social segregation. In 2009, District 9 took in roughly $210.8 million at the box office.

For those who might have missed it at the time, District 9’s official synopsis is as follows: “Violence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.” In 2021, the notion of a foreign contaminant causing a national health crisis takes on a greater significance for audiences and creators alike, so in a way it makes sense this news is coming out after the coronavirus has had such an impact.

Demonic, an upcoming supernatural horror film written and directed by Blomkamp, will be the director’s next released project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Demonic will have its virtual premiere at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival in March.