Or maybe Rian Johnson. His next film, Looper, is set to be a sci-fi thriller about assassins who are sent their victims through time, and I think that he’s a great director.

Honestly, sci-fi is the perfect genre for new directors to get their feet wet. Sure, it may be risky for a no name director to get a huge film like Halo, but I think that I would be more excited to see a young director take the helm.

What about Shane Acker? He’s directing the upcoming animated film 9, and it’s his first real film. Sure, it’s based on a short of his (just like Blomkamp), but I would trust that guy with a lot, based on how that film looks.

What I’m trying to say is that with the right guidance, script, cast, and crew, a good film can be made.

And again, what new sci-fi/fantasy directors have appeared in recent years with a bold new style or vision? Kerry Conran? I think not. If Blomkamp’s work isn’t impressive, what other NEW directors are?

From Rodney’s post about Dune:

“Remember Halo? When that nobody hack effects artist Neill Blomkamp was Jackson’s pick for director? The lemmings were all saying Blomkamp was awesome, but we had our doubts. Side note: If Blomkamp is that great of an potential director, why has he still not yet had a Hollywood gig since he is not busy on Halo?? Hmm…?”

And I have seen his stuff and this trailer doesn’t impress me at all. Interesting story concept, but the delivery seems cheap. My opinion.

Yeah, yeah, I know you guys are making valid criticism, but there seems to me vitriol and snark on every post about the guy. Why is that? Bitter about Halo?

And it seems to me that a lot of the fans loved his stuff even without Jackson’s vouching for him. Can you name a single director involved in sci-fi in recent years who has a better vision than he does? Maybe the layman fans (lay-fans?) are seeing something that your cynical jaundiced eyes aren’t.

End of debate.

I’m glad that I’m going to get to see District 9 instead of Halo.

But hey, thats just me.

Well with that we just clearly have to disagree. I see nothing interesting or inspired about Blom’s selection, and you do (for the reasons you stated).

I agree nothing guarantees success… but I also believe in positioning yourself for the best chances of success. IMO, Blom’s selection for Halo failed at that, and you disagree. Fair enough.

I think his commercial and short work equates experience and vision. If he were to be handed a franchise, Halo is a good fit. Would he be a better candidate than Steven Spielberg? No. If he were handed Halo AFTER District 9, would it be better. Possibly. The production itself would probably go much smoother.

I would take Blomkamp over the majority of the directors currently helming comic book and sci fi franchises. He is willing to bring something interesting to the table and I’m willing to see what he does.

“I believe his commercials and shorts have earned him the right to be given the chance to get experience with a small or mid budget project.”

I don’t disagree with this. However, I don’t think it would guarantee success. As I stated, many experienced director’s make terrible films. I wouldn’t guarantee a successful Halo film if it were in the hands of Woody Allen, Oliver Stone, Wes Anderson or Francis Ford Coppola, simply due to their experience. It’d certainly be interesting to see what they do with it, but it’s just not a good ‘fit’. Blomkamp has shown an ability to combine realism with fantasy to great effect and he obviously knows his way around FX. This is they type of person I want to see helm this film.

So having said that, Blomkamp WAS the choice. I had no reason to fight it because the choice was inspired and interesting. Certainly not a reason to continuously harp on how wrong Blomkamp was for the project. In my mind anyways.