It’s been about three years since District 9 became one of the surprise hits of the year, not only causing actor Sharlto Copley and director Neill Blomkamp to break out in Hollywood, but even racking up four nominations at the Oscars just months later. Now after spending some time off, Blomkamp is on his way back with friend Copley in the upcoming sci-fi follow upElysium, which has Matt Damon in the leading role. So far plot details have been kept under wraps, though the most we’ve received out of principal photography includes Matt Damon’s shaved head and a prison-like jumpsuit. Now thanks to a test screening email as the film preps to start secret showings tonight, the first synopsis for the film has been revealed for the futuristic thriller.
Collider obtained the email earlier today, and before the showtime information, a detailed logline is given:
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.
One of the greatest things about District 9 was that it simply wasn’t about aliens and a possible invasion. At its core, there were elements that certainly reflected racial, ethnic, and even social tensions as Copley’s character bumbled through the slums of the titular South African establishment. What the synopsis suggests is that these elements will blend the science fiction backbone with even deeper elements yet again as the social status or even political tensions are both mixed into a higher tale that involves the upper and lower classes.
Starring Sharlto Copley, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, and Wagner Moura, with Blomkamp both at the helm and writing, Elysium is scheduled to hit theaters on March 1st, 2013.
