Production Begins On Director Neill Blomkamp’s CHAPPIE – Stars Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, And Sigourney Weaver

Director Neill Blomkamp on the set of TriStar Pictures’ ELYSIUM. © 2011 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

The next film from writer-director Neill Blomkamp, CHAPPIE, has begun production in Johannesburg, South Africa.

After being kidnapped by two criminals during birth, Chappie becomes the adopted son in a strange and dysfunctional family. Chappie is preternaturally gifted, one of a kind, a prodigy. He also happens to be a robot.

The film will star Sharlto Copley as the voice of Chappie, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yolandi Visser, Jose Pablo Cantillo and Brandon Auret.

Blomkamp will direct CHAPPIE from a screenplay he has written with Terri Tatchell. He will also produce the film with Simon Kinberg.

Blomkamp’s latest film with MRC and Sony Pictures, ELYSIUM, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, which Blomkamp wrote and directed and also produced with Bill Block and Simon Kinberg, has grossed an estimated $283M worldwide to date.

His first feature film, DISTRICT 9, earned over $200 million worldwide and worldwide acclaim: four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay (for Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell).

CHAPPIE is co-produced and co-financed by Sony Pictures and MRC; the film will be marketed and distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures.

Hannah Minghella and Rachel O’Connor will oversee CHAPPIE for Sony; Brye Adler will oversee for Media Rights Capital.

Photos: © 2011 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All rights reserved