One Of The Best Alien Movies Ever Came Out 15 Years Ago And Cost Far Less Than The Average Blockbuster

Alien invasion movies generally come with a big budget, elaborate special effects, and exaggerated plots involving intense action sequences, but District 9 took the popular alien invasion trope and went in an entirely unexpected direction with it. Many elements in District 9 have been used in other alien movies, including found footage, prejudice, secret government facilities, and even the storyline, in which a person who begins firmly on one side finds themselves sympathizing with the opposing side. However, District 9 created something entirely new, which resulted in reviews of District 9 being mostly positive.

Most of District 9 takes place 20 years after the aliens arrive. They have been segregated, are known as “prawns,” and live in a slum: District 9. One of the aliens, Christopher Johnson, intends to escape with his son during a planned relocation led by Wikus van de Merwe, who has an accident and starts transforming into an alien himself, leaving District 9‘s ending open for a sequel. A District 9 sequel has been confirmed, but updates have been scarce although, like District 9, it is likely to be filmed with a low budget.

District 9 Was Made On A Budget Of $30 Million (& It Was Incredible)

Sharlto Copley’s character Wikus van de Merwe Is An Underrated Antihero

District 9 was made with just $30 million, but made $210.8 million worldwide, and gained a 90% positive Rotten Tomatoes score. District 9‘s low budget came, in many ways, through the failure of another movie. Producer Peter Jackson had intended to shoot an adaptation of the Halo game, but the project was never realized, so District 9 used many props intended for use in Halo. Instead of a large team of scriptwriters, the actors improvised most of their dialogue, and District 9 launched Sharlto Copley’s acting career after he excelled at the improvisation part of his role.

Copley’s character, Wikus van de Merwe, begins District 9 as a bureaucrat, who doesn’t want to get any closer to the aliens than he has to. Even when he is accidentally infected with alien fluid and slowly begins turning into an alien himself, his main motivation is his desire to go back to normal, rather than help the aliens through a newfound level of sympathy. District 9‘s Wikus is not a hero; he is selfish and bigoted, yet Wikus, by helping Christopher and his son to escape District 9 and planet Earth, finally does something good.

What Made District 9 So Special Compared To Other Alien Invasion Movies

Director Neill Blomkamp Based District 9 On His Experiences During Apartheid

Many alien invasion movies are somewhat predictable, with humans defeating hostile aliens, or making friends with peaceable ones. District 9 is based on the nastier aspects of human history and is a disturbingly realistic depiction of what might happen to visiting aliens. Setting an alien invasion movie in Johannesburg, which experienced the apartheid system, and then watching aliens segregated in much the same way, keeps the movie tense and unpredictable. District 9‘s alien design also challenges human nature, asking viewers to sympathize with the aliens without making them cute.

Director Neill Blomkamp wrote District 9 as an allegory for apartheid, having grown up during the regime and seeing the effects the laws had on the communities. Even the title, District 9, is based on Cape Town’s real-life District Six, which was destroyed. The movie’s theme and dialogue form a hard-hitting social commentary on their own, but, due to what some felt were offensive portrayals of Nigerian people and very similar names to real people, District 9 was banned in Nigeria. Information Minister Dora Akunyili demanded an apology from Sony Pictures, but this never happened.

Why The District 9 Sequel Still Hasn’t Happened 15 Years Later

What District 10 Could Be Like With Sharlto Copley As A Writer

A District 9 sequel was once confirmed, with Copley listed as one of the co-writers, but news has been scarce. Copley hinted at a District 10 timeline in 2022, saying filming could potentially begin “in two years,” and Blomkamp has confirmed District 10 would remain stripped down, like District 9. As Blomkamp’s recent movies have flopped, District 10‘s failure to materialize might be due to a lack of interest from studios rather than the director. Still, Blomkamp’s failures make District 10 more likely, as a District 9 sequel may be his best chance at a hit.

As a writer for District 10, Copley has shown his passion for the sequel, which could go anywhere with its storyline, including a full alien invasion. Though Blomkamp has said that District 10 would be based on a specific period of American history, District 10 could answer questions that District 9 left open, and, with Copley as a writer, there would likely be significant character development for Wikus after living as an alien for three years. Blomkamp and Copley appear to have an idea and passion for the project, so a District 9 sequel has not been ruled out yet.