District 9 sequel was never intended

by Jack on February 16, 2010 · 7 comments

district 9HitFix quotes Terri Tatchell, co-writer of District 9 with director Neill Blomkamp, as stating that “never in a million years” did the pair plan for a sequel.

Apparently a large portion of District 9‘s initial screenplay was about Multinational United’s efforts inside the alien mothership, when it first landed above Johannesburg – these scenes were cut due to budget constraints, rather than the length of the screenplay.

By the end of District 9 (my 2009 film of the year), I thought a sequel had the potential to be awesome, even though the ending does still work well on its own (SPOILERS: seeing Christopher Johnson return to Earth with an alien army would be brilliant). Tatchell said she thought the finale was nice as a conclusion to the story. However, in addition to her comments yesterday, Blomkamp said back in January that he’d be much more interested in a prequel to the film, which would probably incorporate the cut sequences of the MNU in the mothership. /Film quotes him as saying:

If you go forward [with his story beyond District 9] it’s more of a traditional film but if you go backward I’d be intrigued in that. I’m not so interested in aliens coming back and blowing things up but [a prequel] might be interesting.

I’d rather a story that carries on from District 9, rather than precedes it, as I thought the original already did a fine job of summing up the events of the mothership’s landing. A prequel would still be very cool though, and I’ll just be happy to see whatever Blomkamp and Tatchell decide to do in the future.

  • http://www.strandedcinema.co.uk/ Nick Ollivere

    I have to say I agree with the filmmakers on this, a sequel isn't the way to go. It would fall too easily into just another action film: aliens go home and bring back support to launch an attack on earth and cure van de Merwe, or something like that. On the other hand, like you say, a prequel doesn't sound too attractive either. They did create such a great universe, though, that it would be a shame to see nothing more of it, but perhaps it's better that way – to leave us wanting more?

  • http://www.genreaddict.com/ Darren Albert

    I can't agree with those saying District 9 is fine left as is without a sequel. When I saw it I walked out of the theater itching to see what would happen when the Prawns returned. As far as I'm concerned if there isn't a sequel then the story remains incomplete.

  • bg1

    I totally agree. I walked out of the theater feeling unfufilled. I wanted to know what happened when Cris and his son returned to help cure van de Merwe. Without a sequel the story is wasted. Besides, the sequal would make a boat load of money. They could always incorporate the prequel WITH the sequel. That hasn't been done before. It would present a nice challenge for the director and writer and it would provide the entertainment and answer to questions for those of us who spent time and money supporting their District 9 efforts. I call that a win-win.

  • bg1

    I totally agree. I walked out of the theater feeling unfufilled. I wanted to know what happened when Cris and his son returned to help cure van de Merwe. Without a sequel the story is wasted. Besides, the sequal would make a boat load of money. They could always incorporate the prequel WITH the sequel. That hasn't been done before. It would present a nice challenge for the director and writer and it would provide the entertainment and answer to questions for those of us who spent time and money supporting their District 9 efforts. I call that a win-win.

  • Fer

    I am hoping for a sequel. Christopher was adamant in saving his people after seeing them tortured and butchered in MNU. Van De Merwe did so much in ensuring their safety to the ship…. We really wants to know what happens 3 years later. Would Christoper come back on his own? Would he really save his 1.2 million prawns? Would Van De Merwe be still alive in 3 years time?

  • Fer

    I am hoping for a sequel. Christopher was adamant in saving his people after seeing them tortured and butchered in MNU. Van De Merwe did so much in ensuring their safety to the ship…. We really wants to know what happens 3 years later. Would Christoper come back on his own? Would he really save his 1.2 million prawns? Would Van De Merwe be still alive in 3 years time?

  • Lyndsey

    come on guys i think that a sequel would be a great idea. another classic war of the worlds…… but with more creative meaning and ideas. i think this would be a big hit. the first flim was amazing but dont leave us hanging like lost in space did! what happen to will robertson….