5. Elysium
In 2009, Neill Blomkamp directed his first feature length film starring fellow countrymen and unknown Shartlo Copley. District 9 propelled both South African natives into stardom. Blomkamp directed multiple shorts before being given his first full directoral debut. At one time, he was linked to a possible Halo feature film based on the popular Xbox franchise. He even put together a
Halo short in order to demonstrate his vision. The Halo movie fell through, which made room for the well-reviewed District 9. District 9 turned a successful profit despite its relatively low-budget. Afterwards, Copley went on to star in the A-Team movie, and now has a role in Blomkamp's second directorial effort, Elysium. But, the real star of Elysium will be Matt Damon. Damon and company appeared together on a Comic-Con panel, but the film is yet to have a teaser or trailer released. Set nearly 200 years in the future, Elysium tells the story of a world where the rich have moved off planet. The wealthy and powerful reside above the Earth in a space station; the general population remains on a desolate, ruined Earth. Matt Damon's character, Max, will go on a mission that could reunite both populaces. The sci-fi action movie will be released in North America August 9th but won't see a UK release until September 20th.