District 9 Sequel: Is Neill Blomkamp Bringing Back the Prawns?

District 9 Sequel: Is Neill Blomkamp Finally Bringing Back the Prawns?

The answer’s a bit messy—but yes, Neill Blomkamp is developing a sequel, tentatively titled District 10, though it’s not coming anytime soon. A script is being written with collaborators Sharlto Copley and Terri Tatchell. Blomkamp has repeatedly said it’s coming “in the near future,” but he also admits he’s not sure he even wants to make it right now. Meanwhile, he’s busy on other projects, like Starship Troopers, which is actively in development .

The Sequel That Almost Was: District 10’s Long Road

Neill Blomkamp hinted at a sequel as far back as a few weeks before District 9 premiered in August 2009 . That eagerness soon became tangible: on February 26, 2021, he tweeted that he, star Sharlto Copley, and writer Terri Tatchell were writing the sequel screenplay, titled District 10 . Over the years, he said:

“That script continues to be written. It’s looking good. … There was a topic in American history that … fit into the world of District 9, it felt like an awesome way to do a sequel.”

Sharlto Copley echoed that sentiment, saying they’d come “so close,” and hoped it might fly once Blomkamp wrapped his next movie .

But Wait—Will It Actually Happen?

That’s the million-dollar question. In 2023, while promoting Gran Turismo, Blomkamp sounded more hesitant:

“I don’t know if it’s getting made or not. I don’t know if I even want to make that right now, but at some point down the line, it’ll probably get made.”

That ambiguity is clear: a project is under way, but it’s not a guaranteed production yet. Entertainment outlets still report that District 10 is under development, though development does not always mean greenlit. As of now, no studio has formally announced production, and no release date exists.

What Else Has Blomkamp Been Working On?

While the prawns wait, Blomkamp hasn’t been idle. In March 2025, Sony’s Columbia Pictures officially tapped him to write and direct a new Starship Troopers adaptation. Unlike the cult 1997 film, this one will lean more closely on Robert A. Heinlein’s original 1959 novel. His wife Terri Tatchell will co-produce, and he’ll write and direct it . That project is clearly bubbling; it’s a major sci-fi franchise revival.

Why So Much Delay on District 10?

Several factors conspire here:

1. Creative Integrity – Blomkamp wants a strong reason to revisit the world, not just cash in on nostalgia. He’s said it took years to align a real‑world topic that would resonate with the District 9 universe .

2. Competing Projects – Since District 9, he’s directed Elysium, Chappie, Demonic, and Gran Turismo, among others. That’s a full plate .

3. Financial & Studio Interest – While there’s fan appetite, studios might hesitate without a timely window or strong business case.

Reddit fans joke about how long it’s taken—16 years later, the prawns still haven’t returned—but many remain hopeful .

What Could District 10 Be About?

Plot details remain a mystery, but we can expect certain elements:

• Wikus’s Fate – He transformed into a prawn. Will he find a way to reverse or accept his new identity?
• Christopher Johnson – He escaped Earth. Will he return to rescue others or confront humanity?
• A Broader Conflict – Could involve Earth, alien homeworlds, and the socio-political themes of xenophobia and apartheid that marked the original.
• Historical Framework – Blomkamp hinted at an American‑history theme fitting into the District 9 universe .

It could stay “stripped-down” in feel, echoing the documentary‑style intimacy that made the first film so gripping .

Why Fans Still Care

• District 9 was both a box‑office hit and a critical success—earning over $200 million on a modest budget and landing Oscar nods .
• Its social commentary was sharp and still resonates.
• There’s a deep emotional connection to the prawns and Wikus.
• Online communities remain active, still discussing, speculating, and hoping.

Summary

• Yes, a sequel titled District 10 is being developed with a script co-written by Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell, and Sharlto Copley.
• Blomkamp repeatedly says it’s coming “in the near future,” but also admits uncertainty about wanting to make it right now.
• His focus has shifted to other active projects, especially the Starship Troopers adaptation.
• No production schedule or release date exists yet.
• Fans deeply want it, and the premise has creative promise—but it remains a project in development, not green-lit production.

“I don’t know if it’s getting made or not. I don’t know if I even want to make that right now, but at some point down the line, it’ll probably get made.”

That quote nails it. District 10 could happen someday. But for now, the prawns wait.

FAQs

Is District 10 officially happening?

A script is being written and development is ongoing, but the film isn’t officially in production yet.

Who’s involved in making the sequel?

Neill Blomkamp is writing it with Terri Tatchell and star Sharlto Copley. Beyond that, no further cast or studio specifics have been announced.

When might the sequel arrive?

There’s no timeline. Blomkamp says it’s in the “near future,” yet also expresses uncertainty—it remains open-ended.

What’s holding it up?

Blomkamp’s other projects, a desire to keep creative integrity high, and no studio commitment yet are key delays.

What are the chances of the prawns returning?

Given consistent updates and script work, the chances are better than zero—but the absence of firm production means it could still be years away.

That’s the state of play. When (and if) District 10 finally happens, we’ll know—and hopefully, the prawns will be back.