The long-awaited sequel to Neill Blomkamp’s beloved acclaimed 2009 sci-fi film District 9 just got a pretty discouraging update.
Blomkamp recently spoke to THR while promoting his new video game adaptation Gran Turismo and was asked if District 9 sequel District 10 is still tied to Sony Pictures, which distributed District 9 and Gran Turismo. Blomkamp confirmed that District 10 “would” be tied to Sony – if it ever actually happens.
“I don’t know if it’s getting made or not,” he admitted. “I don’t know if I even want to make that right now, but at some point down the line, it’ll probably get made.”
When the interviewer suggested that the reception to Gran Turismo might help District 10’s chances, Blomkamp responded, “Yeah, that makes sense.”
Even though Blomkamp caveated that District 10 will “probably” get made eventually, the update is still a fairly disappointing one. The filmmaker previously confirmed that the sequel was in development in 2021, announcing that he re-teamed with partners Sharlto Copley and Terri Tatchell to write the screenplay. Later that year, Blomkamp gave IGN a small tease, telling us the script continues to be written and that the sequel will be based on “a topic in American history.”
But we’ve gotten few updates since then and Hollywood development is often fickle, especially as we’re in the midst of a historic dual strike of industry’s writers and actors.
The original District 9 was a massive success not only at the box office – grossing $210 million worldwide on a reported budget of $30 million and a viral marketing campaign – but also critically. It managed to break past the Oscars’ frequent hesitation in recognizing genre fare by scoring nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing. As IGN said in our review at the time, it was the “science fiction masterpiece you didn't see coming.”
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
