This summer District 9 was unleashed upon the world. The $30 million project, produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neill Blomkamp went on to make nearly $200 million worldwide and receive high critical praise. Much like Jackson found Blomkamp, based on his Alive in Joburg short film, director Sam Raimi has found Federico Alvarez, a 30 year old Uruguyan behind the sci-fi short Panic Attack, which can be viewed below. As reported by El Pais, via Film Junk, Alvarez and his girlfriend/co-writer Rodolfo Sayagués have been given $1 million just to write and develop the script. That’s not all though. The report also confirms they have been given an apartment in LA and new cars. The budget for the film is looking to be around $30 to $40 million. Like Jackson helped Blomkamp keep his artistic vision, the same relationship is said to occur with Raimi and Alvarez. I highly suggest checking out the short film below.
This short comes off a lot more polished then Blomkamp’s original, but with a little less of a gripping story. Alvarez has a clear eye for visuals and blockbuster effects, but as long as he finds his characters, I’m all for another sci-fi project
What did you think of the short? Can you see a feature film being created from it?