While their plan to team on Halo remains on hold, Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp are going forward this spring on District 9, a live-action sci-fi project that will mark Blomkamp’s feature directing debut.
Variety says Jackson will produce through his WingNut Films. Blomkamp wrote the script with partner Terri Tatchell.
QED Intl. has committed to fully finance the film through its credit facility with Comerica Bank and Aramid Entertainment Fund, and it will handle worldwide sales. QED Intl. production begins this spring in South Africa, and Jackson’s Weta Workshop facility is standing by to provide the visual effects.
“For the last year, my team and I have had the pleasure of working very closely with Neill,” Jackson said. “He has a passion and a command of the language of cinema that will result in ‘District 9’ fascinating people all over the world.”
Blomkamp is best known for directing commercials and short films, and Microsoft recently engaged him to shoot three commercials for the product launch of “Halo 3.” Though he grew up in Vancouver, Blomkamp was born in South Africa and will be returning to his homeland to shoot District 9.
