District 9

District 9 (2009)

District 9, abbreviated D-9, is a 2009 science fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson. Released August 13, 2009 internationally and August 14, 2009 in North America, the film is set in a near-future Johannesburg, South Africa, several decades after an insectlike alien race arrives in the city. Apparently leaderless and unable to leave, the creatures are confined to a squalid shanty town known as District 9, secured by private military contractors working for the MNU corporation. Told partly in the "found footage" format, the film follows an MNU bureaucrat (Sharlto Copley) as he is tasked with evicting the creatures to a new settlement outside of Johannesburg. During the course of his job, he is accidentally infused with the DNA of the aliens, leading him to slowly transform and become something less than human. District 9 was based on Alive in Joburg, a short film by also by Blomkamp featuring Sharlto Copley, Simon Hansen and Shanon Worley in acting roles.

IMFDB would like to thank the film's armorer, Olly Steele, for his contributions to the page.

See the Discussion Page for a listing of the alien weapons used in the film.

The following weapons were used in the film District 9:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Rifles

Vektor CR-21

Multi-National United (MNU) soldiers guarding the District 9 internment camp carry Vektor CR-21 rifles with white stocks and what appear to be Leupold CQ/T optical sights.

Vektor CR-21 bullpup rifle - 5.56x45mm NATO

A row of Vektor CR-21s are seen on a shelf in the MNU headquarters armory.

An MNU soldier receives a Vektor CR-21

Two MNU soldiers aim their Vektor CR-21s at an alien resident of District 9.

Another MNU soldier is seen with his Vektor CR-21 slung over his back.

An MNU soldier takes aim with his Vektor CR-21 when Wikus and Christopher assault the MNU headquarters.

Vektor CR-21 Prototype "BW-90"

There is also the 1st prototype for the CR21 in the movie for the first time on screen. It is used by the Nigerians and has a lot of dressing draped on it.

This is called the BW90 after Bruce Wentzel who designed it in 1990 - Olly Steele.

"BW-90" in the possession of movie armourer company Hire Arms. © Hire Arms

A Nigerian is seen armed with a CR-21 "BW-90" prototype, circled in red.

Another Nigerian is seen with a BW-90 prototype.

Yet another Nigerian draws a bead on an MNU helicopter with his BW-90 prototype.

Vektor R5

Several MNU mercenaries are armed with Vektor R5 carbines, the South African version of the Israeli Galil SAR.

Vektor R5 - 5.56x45mm NATO

The handguard seems to have been removed in this scene.

Vektor R6

Throughout much of the final action sequence, Koobus is armed with a Vektor R6, a compact version of the R5 with a 11-inch barrel.

Vektor R6 - 5.56x45mm

Vektor R1

Full-stocked Vektor R1 rifles, equipped with shell deflectors, and scopes are carried by snipers aboard the helicopters circling District 9. This is an early model R1 which uses the wooden stock with metal ferrule.

Vektor R1 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A sniper aims his R1.

FN FAL 50.61

FN FAL 50.61 Paratrooper with 21" barrel - 7.62x51mm NATO

The mercenary in the background carries a FN FAL rifle with a folding stock.

Vektor R4/R5 synthetic AK-47 mockup

An Kalashnikov-style rifle of unknown make is used by several mercenaries, with 5.56x45mm magazines, a 45 degree gas block and a shortened barrel. The front sight block is close to the gas block much like the Hungarian AMD-65 rifle, but the weapon differs in having a AK-74 style muzzle brake and black polymer furniture. Closer Inspection of the receiver and magazine show it to be a Vektor R4/R5 mocked up as some kind of AK-47 type rifle.

Heckler & Koch G36C

Some mercenaries are armed with Heckler & Koch G36C rifles when they are searching for Wikus in District 9.

Heckler & Koch G36C - 5.56x45mm

A very interesting shot of a G36C, being used by a MNU mercenary.

M4A1

Several of the MNU mercenaries are armed with M4A1 carbines, some of which are fitted with M203 grenade launchers.

Colt M4A1 with 6 position collapsible stock - 5.56x45mm.

M4A1 carbine (5.56x45mm) with M203 40mm grenade launcher

The mercenary on the left carries a M4A1 carbine.

The PEQ-2 laser modules appear to be airsoft replicas as they're significantly larger than the real deal. In this instance, its presence would make sighting the M4 difficult.

M4 carbines on the right.

AKM

AKM rifles are commonly seen in District 9, mostly in the hands of the Nigerian gangsters.

AKM - 7.62x39mm

Wikus uncovers a large Arms cache.

AKM next to a prawn sonic blaster.

Vektor R4/R5 mocked up as AKM

Several of the Nigerians and a PMC carry a Rifle that at first glance looks like a Norinco Type 84 or an AKM. However closer inspection of the receiver and magazine shows that in all likeliness it is a member of the Vector R4/R5 family made to look like a Type 84/AKM.

Vektor R4/R5 mocked up as Type 84 with a folding stock.

Heckler & Koch G3 mocked up as G3SG/1

One mercenary sniper uses a Heckler & Koch G3 rifle modified by Hire Arms to look like a G3SG/1 or a SR9-type rifle, to shoot at the alien mech in the final battle sequence. The rifle also has what looks like a modified or mocked up U.S. Optics rifle scope.

Heckler & Koch G3 mocked up as an G3SG/1 by Hire Arms in Johannesburg - note the full auto selector.

Note the long magazine.

Mechem NTW-20

A Mechem NTW-20 is used by a mercenary against the alien mech. This is the first appearance of this weapon in a film.

Mechem NTW-20 - 20mm

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5A4/2

Some of the MNU PMCs are armed with Heckler & Koch MP5A4/A2 submachine guns.

Heckler & Koch MP5A4 - 9x19mm

Armscor BXP

Koobus carries a South African Armscor BXP submachine gun fitted with a red-dot sight during the shootout at MNU headquarters.

Armscor BXP - 9x19mm

The Armscor BXP in storage along with several other firearms.

Shotguns

Remington 870 14 inch barrel

An MNU PMC and the manager at Gunters both arm themselves with some sort of short barreled shotgun fitted with a side saddle.

Remington 870 Short Barrel - 12 gauge.

An MNU PMC with an Unknown Shotgun.

Remington 870

MNU guard Thomas (Kenneth Nkosi) uses a Remington 870 with a South African made tactical light during the alien evictions. Another 870 is used by a mercenary during the shootout at MNU headquarters.

Remington 870 with early style Black Synthetic Riot foregrips and buttstock - 12 gauge. The foregrip is different from that used in the film

Wikus playfully criticizes the MNU PMCs for all the ammunition they are carrying, claiming that they should be more "efficient".

A good look at the South African made tactical light

A PMC fires his Remington 870 during the shootout at MNU headquarters.

An MNU PMC with a sawed off Remington 870.

Musgrave Pump Action

A South African Policeman is armed with Musgrave Pump Action shotgun during the news footage of the Armored car robbery.

Musgrave Pump Action - 12 gauge

South African Policeman. Not the front-end release button on the right of the receiver and the big synthetic magazine tube cap.

Custom Armsel Striker

A Nigerian which is shot by a mercenary after the rebels catch Wikus fires a Armsel Striker shotgun, which according to armorer Olly Steele has a long barrel and was fitted with various extras (such as an Imatronic LS45 Laser Sight).

Armsel Striker - 12 gauge

A Nigerian firing the Striker. Note the LS45 laser sight mounted on top rail, a rather exotic customization for a futuristic setting considering that the LS45 is from the late 80s, has battery life in the tens of minutes and is generally quite rare.

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

MNU mercenary leader Koobus Venter (David James) carries a Beretta 92FS as his personal sidearm.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Koobus Venter (David James) with the 92FS.

Beretta 92SB-C

One of the mercenaries holds Christopher prisoner with what appears to be a Beretta 92SB-C shortly before the Casspir they are riding in is attacked by the Nigerians.

Beretta 92SB-C - 9x19mm

An MNU PMC holding his Beretta 92SB-C on Christopher.

Star Model BS

A Nigerian gangster threatens Wikus with a Star Model BS pistol when he goes to see Obesandjo. According to the movie's armorer Olly Steele, the pistol is a Star Model BS, which differs from the Star Model B due to the addition of a magazine safety.

Star Model BS - 9x19mm.

Beretta 92SB

A Beretta 92SB takes the place of Koobus's Beretta 92FS in the climax.

Beretta 92SB -9x19mm

Koobus holds the Beretta 92SB on Wikus

Koobus aims the Beretta 92SB.

Walther P38

A Nigerian gangster can be seen briefly armed with a Walther P38. The Walther P38 was the standard police sidearm in South Africa before being replaced.

Walther P38 -9x19mm

Nigerian gangster with Walther P38 in foreground.

Machine Guns

RPK (mockup)

One Nigerian fires what appears to be a RPK light machine gun when the gangsters attack the MNU convoy; Closer inspection of the receiver reveals that it is actually a Vektor R4 mockup.

Vektor R4 with 50 round magazine - 5.56x45mm NATO

RPK to the far left.

GE M134 Minigun

The GE M134 Minigun is used by the Nigerians who have mounted it on a tower, and later by a PMC who commandeers it during the battle.

General Electric M134 - 7.62x51mm NATO

An MNU PMC firing the M134.

FN MAG

A FN MAG machine gun is mounted on a helicopter circling District 9.

FN MAG 58 - 7.62x51mm NATO

FN M249-E2 SAW

One mercenary uses an FN M249-E2 SAW to shoot at the alien mech.

FN M249-E2 SAW with 200 round ammo drum - 5.56x45mm NATO.

Other

Griffon .177 air-rifle

There is a Griffon .177 air-rifle in the cache.

Griffon .177 circled in red.

RPG-7

A RPG-7 launcher is used by Koobus in an attempt to attack the alien transport ship as it takes off.

RPG-7 - 40mm

Denel PAW-20

Koobus uses a Denel PAW-20 grenade launcher during the final action sequence to disable the alien mech. This is the first appearance of this weapon in a film.

Denel PAW-20 with EOTech red dot sight - 20x42mm.

-Note the location of the pistol grip.

Koobus with a Denel PAW-20

Flamethrower

Carried by MNU soldiers who burn down an alien hive. Unless proven otherwise, this weapon is probably a fictional model like countless other film productions. In a deleted scene in which Wikus steals an AFV, a canister that is attached to the flamethrower hose and nozzle is thrown from the vehicle before being driven off. The canister appears to be similar to a gas tank, much like that of a propane tank.