Sigourney Weaver Joins Blomkamp's 'Chappie'

While Sigourney Weaver said she'd return to the world of 'Avatar' in the coming sequels, the 'Aliens' ass-kicker has another sci-fi adventure on her hands with Neill Blomkamp's 'Elysium' follow-up 'Chappie.'

Sony Pictures and Media Rights Capital announced Monday that 'Chappie' has officially begun filming in Johannesburg, South African with its principal cast roster that includes Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, Ninja, Yolandi Visser, Jose Pablo Cantillo and Brandon Auret, in addition to the newly added Weaver.

According to the official logline:

After being kidnapped by two criminals during birth, Chappie (voiced by Copley) 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.

Although her USA miniseries 'Political Animals' failed to come back for a second season, Weaver has a few more high-profile gigs coming up, besides 'Chappie.' She'll soon be seen in Ridley Scott's 'Exodus,' a film about the life of Moses; she's attached to star in 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes'; and she's expected to reprise her role from 'Avatar' in the sequels. However, we're still holding out hope that she'll be picked for the all-female 'Expendables' spinoff, 'ExpendaBelles,' which is currently eyeing Cameron Diaz, Milla Jovovich and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep. To not work something out with one of the most iconic female action stars of all time would be something of a disservice.

As for ‘Chappie,’ the film is based on Blomkamp’s 2004 short film ‘Tetra Vaal,’ and is set for release on March 27, 2015.