District 9 Director Says No to Directing Big Hollywood Films

District 9 Director Says No to Directing Big Hollywood Films

Does this mean the fan-favorite director will never direct a CBM?

News
By JesuCrisco - Dec 30, 2009 09:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi
Source: The Los Angeles Times

Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times recently sat down with director Neil Blomkamp to discuss both District 9 and future projects.

Here's a portion of the interview dealing with big budget Hollywood films (CBMs):

GB: ... filmmakers have found that, if they want to make well-budgeted special-effects movies, they have to bend to studio pressure to make films that are remakes, adaptations, sequels, etc. Studios feel far more comfortable with “known quantity” properties when the budgets go north of $100 million.

NB: That’s exactly right and that’s precisely the reason I don’t want to do high-budget films. I've said no already to doing the Hollywood movie thing with big budgets. And that is the exact reason.

JesuCrisco: It's a shame that a talented director like Blomkamp is turned off from the idea of directing big budget films such as comic book adaptions. Hopefully he changes his mind as he would be my ideal choice for a Superman director. I'm positive he would find away of making it original.

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ThisFan
ThisFan - 12/30/2009, 9:44 PM
He could direct a B-list super hero film
legionbecks
legionbecks - 12/30/2009, 9:52 PM
well everyone would say that in the beginning but lets hope he keeps his word because what he did with district 9 no one else could do it. he is a awesome director.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 12/30/2009, 10:11 PM
Well, he did make the best movie this year in District 9, so I'd love to see him direct more films. If they aren't big budget Hollywood movies, so be it, but the guy is extremely talented, I want to see more of his work. Hopefully, he'll keep giving us original, fresh, yet awesome (sci-fi) movies.
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 12/30/2009, 10:17 PM
sweet.
AGame67
AGame67 - 12/30/2009, 10:39 PM
This guy has made one good movie. Why the hell should he make a CBM. He should stick to District 10
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 12/30/2009, 11:01 PM
AGame67@ thats where your wrong my friend, instead of district 10 do a freakin D*MN kick ASS HALO MOVIE FOR PETE SAKE good lord how long have we been waiting now lord!
WarNoodle
WarNoodle - 12/30/2009, 11:18 PM
yeah, I think he needs to stick to what he knows best and not go out of that. If he can shoot a movie like district 9 with what he did... I don't see why we couldn't see CBM's done at the same cost. There is so much waist that goes into some movies. Like I have no idea why Superman Returns cost so freakin much! it didn't have insanely high rolling actors, not a ton of graphics and special FX like other movies... Just don't see where the money went in that project?
Phinehas
Phinehas - 12/30/2009, 11:25 PM
The guy has so much leverage, he can call the shots. He could still do a CBM if he wanted to do so. He'd say, "Fine, but I have to have full artistic range."
JesuCrisco
JesuCrisco - 12/30/2009, 11:29 PM
He could adapt a lesser known comic book character. I mean Blade did put CBM's back on the map. @king Manhunter is totally up his alley. I loved what he did with District 9 especially the use of powerful themes like segregation as an example. After directing such a succesful film I'm sure studios would start to listen ala Chris Nolan. WarNoodle you're completely right, where does all the dough go? As D9 showed us less money can make the film seem much more real.
Nightwing09
Nightwing09 - 12/30/2009, 11:30 PM
Awww Danm He Has So much to give to a comicbook movie
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 12/30/2009, 11:57 PM
Nightwing09 nice avatar! i haven't been on in a while you new?
foxfan
foxfan - 12/30/2009, 11:57 PM
the way "district 9" was so gritty and sort of up close to the prawn's situation and all, i could see this guy doing the (alleged) daredevil reboot or a punisher movie, you know, something with brass knuckles so to speak. i'd like to see his take on crimefighting in the streets and alleys. and district 9 is a great flick!
longbowhunter
longbowhunter - 12/31/2009, 6:55 AM
Cant say I blame him. I hope he sticks to his guns and puts out more great films like District 9.
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 12/31/2009, 7:40 AM
Now here is a director I can respect. He understands how the game works Studios are inherently adverse to taking risks, especially with a lot of money on the line. They like "proven" properties that have a built-in audience. This whole thing is a direct result of the obscene price levels we're seeing to shoot movies anymore. The more money that's involved, the more hands are in the pie wanting to minimize risk. Look at Spidey 3 as a prime example of the results of that.

He think it's better to stick to smaller pictures, where his artistic vision for the story is far less compromised by the bean counters and the suits. Personally, I applaud Blomkamp for being a man of principle. There are very few of them to be found in Hollywood.

comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 12/31/2009, 7:46 AM
One more thing- personally, I see an inverse relationship between soaring movie budgets and the quality of the films themselves. Look back at the many classic films of the 1980's, for example. Much smaller budgets, much simpler effects, but much better stories than today's movies. If you don't know it about me by now, I'm a firm believer that a great story is the most important thing in any form of media. That's far more important than fancy CGI effects.
flames809
flames809 - 12/31/2009, 9:25 AM
dnt know if he could make a great superman film cause d9 [frick]ing sucked worst movie ever. but the story was good but the movie just sucked.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 12/31/2009, 10:06 AM
good for him. i hope (but doubt) the studios will learn from this.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/31/2009, 10:57 AM
Flames, we all know you hated it, and are quite possibly the only human being in the entire universe that did, so please give some valid reasons why you didn't like it instead of just saying "it sucked" all the time. "The story was good but it sucked"..What the hell does that even mean! You enjoyed the story..BUT..was it the acting, special effects, what?

Bropous Im not 100% sure, but I think Copley is a South African.
JesuCrisco
JesuCrisco - 12/31/2009, 11:24 AM
yeah the actor is South African. It looks like he nailed the accent. I remember reading that Leo was praised for his authentic S African accent in blood diamond.

Fotc@ completely agree with you. Once a director has leverage his movie is gonna be shown the way he wants it to and studios will bend over backwards for their vision.
Macksimus
Macksimus - 12/31/2009, 1:01 PM
Good. We need more directors like him willing break the mold and be original.

Hollywood is lacking in originality. Everything is a remake or reboot.

...a remake of KARATE KID?!?! Are you kidding me! That's like remaking Top Gun. WTF are they thinking?
Aiiwolf
Aiiwolf - 12/31/2009, 3:00 PM
@ MACKSIMUS

EXACTLY!!!!! THANK YOU! SOMEONE ON HERE HAS A [frick]ING BRAIN. I'm glad hes said "NO"...I'm sick of seeing all these same damn movies coming out over and over...too many sequels, or remakes, or and i have to agree with that hollywood is out of ideas....Seriously "clash of the tians remake" better be good...or there will eb another [frick]ing angry review written about that film. I mean I trust the director for Clash, primarily because Incredible hulk and danny the dog were good and hes just getting started with his career.

But well see if he holds his word. ;/
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 12/31/2009, 6:24 PM
Mack and Aiiwolf@ seriosuly.... you've got an entire town full of writers, directors, actors, producers, tech people, and you can't take a chance on any of them? not one of them has a good original idea? im pretty sure a few of them do. look what two people hollywood never heard of did (Blomkamp and Copley). if i was Blomkamp i'd shove it up their fat suit wearing asses everytime i could.
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