Released back in 2009, director Neill Blomkamp stunned audiences with his incredible directorial debut District 9. One of the best sci-fi films to come out in years, it was a tremendous effort, especially given its $30 million budget. Now, four years later, Blomkamp is getting ready to deliver his next project, Elysium.
Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, William Fichtner, Wagner Moura, Alica Braga and Diego Luna, Sony recently showed off 10 minutes of footage at a special promo event and the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
Set one hundred years in the future, the film takes place in a world where “Earth has become overcrowded and dirty, all the inhabitants are unkempt. The wealthy reside in beautiful utopia inside an enormous circular 2001-like space station called Elysium orbiting around Earth.” Sounds pretty intriguing and judging by the reactions to the recently screened footage, it looks like we’re in for something special.
Check out the reactions below:
Omfg! Have to pick up my jaw off the floor. Elysium footage was SO badass, SO awesome. Blomkamp is single-handedly pushing the sci-fi genre.
— Alex Billington (@firstshowing) April 8, 2013
I know I get easily hyped, but based on the 10 minutes I just saw from Elysium, I’m more excited for this than I was Prometheus last year.
— Alex Billington (@firstshowing) April 8, 2013
Ten minutes of #Elysium footage screened today. Looks Fucking Awesome. Can’t wait #fanboytweet
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) April 8, 2013
Just saw the new trailer and 10 min from #ELYSIUM. All I can say is WOW. Footage was incredible. Cannot wait to see this.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 8, 2013
Oh, so Elysium looks stunning. If the footage is any indication, Neil Blomkamp fans are going to be happy as hell
— Alex Suskind (@AlexJSuskind) April 8, 2013
After seeing 10 minutes of #Elysium footage, I’d like Neill Blomkamp to make all the movies.
— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) April 8, 2013
#elysium just watched 10 mins of the film. Fast & gritty as all hell with an elegant mix of groundbreaking VFX & impressive score. Wow.
— John Darko (@JohnDarko) April 8, 2013
10min preview & mind is blown. Visually stunning, beyond action packed, Matt Damon like you’ve never seen him before #Elysium @firstshowing
— Anthony Cincotta (@AnthonyCincotta) April 8, 2013
Just saw #Elysium footage and trailer. Totally badass, Matt Damon tears it up, Blomkamp keeps the grit and then just amps it up.
— Susie Arons (@sarons) April 8, 2013
Holy Crap! If you liked District 9 you’re going to love #Elysium! Just saw 10 minutes and can’t wait for the rest of the movie.
— Steve Holzer (@TheSteveHolzer) April 8, 2013
Just got to see 10 mins of Matt Damon/Sharlto Copley/Neil Blomkamp’s #Elysium. Very very cool. No-blinking action-packed kinda stuff. #SeeIt
— Eric Anderson (@Eric42Anderson) April 8, 2013
The new footage Sony just previewed from #Elysium maintains Neill Blomkamp’s rep for original, visceral, visually inventive sci-fi.
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) April 8, 2013
Best surprise from the #Elysium preview footage: How loose and funny and everyguy-y Matt Damon is. Also, everybody, he’s RIPPED. #iknow
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) April 8, 2013
The #Elysium footage blew my mind! Brilliant director leading fantastic actors, August 9 can’t come any faster
— Noah Crawford (@_noahcrawford_) April 8, 2013
Just saw #Elysium footage and trailer. Totally badass, Matt Damon tears it up, Blomkamp keeps the grit and then just amps it up.
— Susie Arons (@sarons) April 8, 2013
Excited yet? We sure are. Those reactions are really something and the film has quickly become my most anticipated title of the summer, hands down. District 9 is one of my favourite sci-fi films ever, and I have full faith that Blomkamp’s next effort in the genre will be equally as stunning.
Elysium arrives on August 9th, 2013. Are you looking forward to the film? Let us know in the comments. And be sure to check out the new poster and plot summary below.
In the year 2159 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard line government official will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.