Viral campaigns are a tricky business. They can either be a well-executed and enjoyable way to tease information and set up the world of a forthcoming film that catches on in a big way as the carefully planned campaign for Christopher Nolan‘s “The Dark Knight Rises” displayed. Or, they can be so obtuse and uninteresting that only the most devoted the core fanbase wind up playing along, which is pretty much what happened to the “Super 8” online presence, or it’s simply not developed enough to make a real impact like those fake drug ads for “Limitless.” That’s not to mention that there is also a very real danger of starting things way too early, but for Sony who is behind Neill Blomkamp‘s ambitious, R-rated and mysterious “Elysium” they will need all the help to get the word out early and they are not wasting a moment as with nearly two years to go until it hits theaters, they’ve already kicked off the campaign.
Wandering the halls of Comic-Con, ComingSoon stumbled across a recruitment poster (see below) that points you to the website of the (fictional) company Armadyne. The nearly one minute spot advises that they are looking for “zero g welders, mega-structure engineers, quantum networkers” and experts in “zero g coupling and multi-generational planning” for a project they hope to complete by 2097. And that’s about it. The site confirmed that its the kick off for “Elysium,” adding another tantalizing, but completely random piece of the puzzle surrounding the film that is doing its best to keep things close to the chest for now.
Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner, Alice Braga and Diego Luna, all that is known about the film is that it’s set 100 years in the future that will have a social commentary element. Damon will be playing an ex-con, Foster, the leader of alien race, 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.
“Elysium” is now in front of cameras and will hit theaters on March 1, 2013.
