South African-Canadian filmmaker Neill Blomkamp is soon set to follow up his breakthrough film District 9 with the sci-fi flick Elysium. While the big blockbuster stars Matt Damon, he wasn't actually the first choice. No, that honour goes to Ninja, frontman of South African shock-rap group Die Antwoord.
Speaking with Wired, Blomkamp explained that he wanted Ninja for the lead of the film, but the rapper turned it down because he didn't want his first big-screen role to be an American-accented character in a summer blockbuster. "It was a fucked-up, difficult decision," Ninja told the magazine.
From there, Blomkamp wanted to try and get Eminem for the role, but the rapper would only agree if shooting took place in his hometown of Detroit. Blomkamp simply couldn't make that happen.
This won't mark the end of Blomkamp's work with Die Antwoord, however, as both Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er are both set to appear as themselves in the director's upcoming sci-fi comedy Chappie.
Until then, we'll have to make do with big-time Hollywood actors when Elysium hits theatres on August 8.
Speaking with Wired, Blomkamp explained that he wanted Ninja for the lead of the film, but the rapper turned it down because he didn't want his first big-screen role to be an American-accented character in a summer blockbuster. "It was a fucked-up, difficult decision," Ninja told the magazine.
From there, Blomkamp wanted to try and get Eminem for the role, but the rapper would only agree if shooting took place in his hometown of Detroit. Blomkamp simply couldn't make that happen.
This won't mark the end of Blomkamp's work with Die Antwoord, however, as both Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er are both set to appear as themselves in the director's upcoming sci-fi comedy Chappie.
Until then, we'll have to make do with big-time Hollywood actors when Elysium hits theatres on August 8.
