In June of 2010, David Fincher was rumored to be interested in Yo-Landi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord to play Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. To be more accurate, he reportedly wanted an actress to “look and act like” Vi$$er, not necessarily be her. But Fincher’s interest in the South African rapper was enough to spark agents’ interest, and WME contacted her about possible acting representation. Perhaps District 9 and Elysium director Neill Blomkamp is following Fincher’s example.
Die Burger (via Bleeding Cool) interviewed Die Antwoord member Ninja, who says the members of the band are going to star as themselves in Blomkamp’s sci-fi comedy Chappie. It’s set to shoot later this year in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a $50 million budget. Yes, South African zef rappers are allegedly going to star in a $50 million movie from the guy who made District 9 with only $30 million. I must see this.
And what’s zef, you may ask?
To gain an understanding of what exactly is going on with the loud and vulgar brand of rave-rap that Die Antwoord deals in an explanation of the South African zef subculture is necessary. Zef refers to a certain anti-posh attitude, or perhaps more accurately to reveling in the dirty glory of Johannesburg slum life. Die Antwoord’s vocalists Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er take this trashy-but-extravagant ideal to great lengths, and the band is really as much of a performance art piece as a genuine expression of its members’ roots. [Nobody Listens To This]
Which is a fancy way of saying “South African chavs”.
Interestingly, Die Antwoord foretold this news. Vi$$er says, “Neill Blomkamp’s making me a movie star” at the 3:58 mark in this NSFW video for “Babys On Fire”.
Check out the nightstand in the background: