The 'Chappie' poster seems harmless enough, but it really represents a true make-it-or-break-it point for director Neill Blomkamp and star Sharlto Copley. This one-sheet, which exists simply to introduce the title character of this new science fiction film about a family who "adopts" a robot with ties to the criminal underworld, represents a film that could be the next great exciting genre project ... or the final sign that we all put a little too much faith in the people who made 'District 9.'

The trailer for 'Chappie' is set to arrive tomorrow so we can start making all kinds of grand statements about this movie when we've finally seen some footage, but let's take a moment to examine why this film feels so important to the people who made it.

It's the third film from director Neill Blomkamp, who burst onto the scene with 'District 9' looking like the second coming of Paul Verhoeven. And then he made the aggressively mediocre 'Elysium,' which had even his most ardent supporters wondering if he was a one trick pony.

And then there's Sharlto Copley, who burst onto the scene with 'District 9' looking like one of the great new discoveries of the past decade. And then he proceeded to stink up the screen in 'Elysium,' 'Oldboy' and 'Maleficent,' turning in performances that made everyone wonder what they saw in him in the first place.

'Chappie' could be the movie that reaffirms that Blomkamp is a big deal and a filmmaker worth getting excited for. It could remind us why we liked Copley to begin with. With a supporting that includes Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver, this has potential to be one of the more intriguing genre projects of 2015.

Or it could be confirmation that 'District 9' was lightning in a bottle.

'Chappie' is set to open on March 6, 2015. Keep your eyes open for the trailer tomorrow.

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