We've all heard the old adage, "when one door closes, another one opens." It may be tacky and hackneyed, but it is true.
Director Neill Blomkamp was set to make his Hollywood debut with an adaption of the "Halo" video games before Fox and Universal backed out at the last minute. While disappointing at the time, the move paved the way for Blomkamp to make "District 9", a creatively crafted alien film that grounds itself in reality. Now, Blomkamp will have the opportunity to dabble with other extra-terrestrials, as it was recently revealed that his next project will be a foray into the "Alien" franchise.
Sigourney Weaver, who redefined toughness as protagonist Ellen Ripley in the four previous "Alien" installments, is a central figure in Blomkamp's upcoming film, "Chappie." As it turns out, she was also a helpful creative force when it came to the next addition in the "Alien" lore.
"It did have to do with having Sigourney on Chappie," Blomkamp told Entertainment Weekly of developing his idea for a new "Alien" film. "...Over the years, I came up with a story for a film in that universe that I wanted to make. And then when I talked to her about her experience making those films and what she thought about Ripley and everything else, it informed and changed the film I wanted to make into something different.
"It just sort of stuck with me. A year later, when post-production was winding down on Chappie, I started fleshing out the idea for a film that would contain Sigourney. Fox never knew. I just worked on it when I could. Before I knew it, I had this really awesome film with a lot of artwork and a lot of backstory. And then I didn't know whether I was going to make it or not. So I just kind of sat on it for a while."
Blomkamp is well aware of the theory that less is more. He intends for Weaver to headline this picture, but aside from that, he wouldn't reveal whether his film will be connected to "Prometheus" or its planned sequel.
"I want to keep it on hyper-lockdown," Blomkamp said. "It's early yet. It's Chappie time."
It was unfortunate that Blomkamp never got to bring "Halo" to the silver screen. But if he had, fans of this long-lasting franchise would never have the opportunity to see his fresh and unique take on a now-familiar world.
One door may have closed, but this new door will remain wide open for a long time. The Hollywood landscape is better because of it.
