William Fichtner To Make Neill Blomkamp's 'Elysium' Slightly More Awesome

by Kevin Jagernauth
April 6, 2011 8:41 AM
5 Comments

Actor Also In Talks For 'Wrong,' Quentin Dupieux's Follow-Up To 'Rubber'

Is there anything William Fichtner can't do? The longtime character actor basically spruces up whatever project he winds up participating in, even if it's playing something as ludicrous as the devil's right hand man in "Drive Angry 3D." Christopher Nolan realized that man brings gravity to any scene he's in, which is why he used him for the few minutes of screen time he had in the opening heist sequence of "The Dark Knight"; he needed someone who could believably stand up to the Joker, if only for a few moments.

Well, another tentpole is calling as Variety reports that Fichtner has joined Neill Blomkamp's big-budget, R-rated, sci-fi flick "Elysium." Starring Matt Damon, Sharlto Copley, Jodie Foster and Wagner Moura, details on the script are being kept under lock and key, but it’s set 100 years in the future and will have a social commentary element. Damon will be playing an ex-con while Moura will be the villain in the film. Also on board is legendary “Blade Runner” designer Syd Mead who will be handling set design for the picture.

Production is set to start in July in Vancouver before moving to Mexico in the fall, it will hit theaters on March 8, 2013 (not a typo, this one is a long way off).

Update: Speaking of awesome, Variety updated their story to reveal that Fichtner is also in talks to star in "Wrong," Quentin Dupieux's follow-up to his gonzo midnight movie "Rubber" (yes, the one about the tire with psychic powers). When we talked to Dupieux recently, he revealed that the film's a comedy, which will shoot in L.A. about a missing dog, and its owner -- presumably the role that Fichtner would play? The actor's a very strong match to Dupieux's weird-ass world view, and we're pretty excited about the team-up.

More: Films, Actors, Foreign Directors, Elysium, Wrong, William Fichtner, Quentin Dupieux

5 Comments

| Reply
Tim Parker | April 7, 2011 12:34 PMReply

Sam,
The article doesn't say he'll be in Dark Night Rises, just says he was in the Dark Night.
Abner | April 7, 2011 1:09 AMReply

Not to nitpick but I'm really not sure how you could say he stood up to the Joker, kinda got his ass handed to him, but, you know, whatevs. The illiterates will soon overwhelm me.
gonad | April 7, 2011 1:04 AMReply

Some of us might be dead by March 2013
Sam | April 6, 2011 9:20 AMReply

You guys have already seen The Dark Knight Rises and Fichtner is in it despite having a grenade shoved up his mouth in The Dark Knight? That's some serious pull if you've seen it.
BuntyHoven | April 6, 2011 9:05 AMReply

Damn, that's a long time away. Two years. Fuck. Anyway, FICHTNER. The man is awesome.