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Details Emerge on Wachowskis' Secretive Film 'Cobalt Neural 9'

by Ethan Anderton
September 22, 2010
Source: Vulture

Since the project was first uncovered in December, we've been hearing very few details on the Wachowskis' next project which has been going by the strange title Cobalt Neural 9. Well, Vulture hit the motherload on details for the new project, the first of which is the revelation that the film's working title is nothing but a diversionary tactic that has no mention or significance within the script. In addition, while story details have pegged the film as following an R-rated homosexual relationship between a US soldier and an Iraqi, but there's more than a Brokeback Mountain style romance here. Check out very the intriguing details below!

Keep in mind that the following information dabbles in spoiler territory, so if you want to go into this film with a clear mind, then read no further. What follows isn't a play-by-play of the entire film, but a revelation as to what story lies at the heart of the film. Here's what Vulture reveals:

"…part of the film takes place in the future all right — nearly a hundred from now. But its main story is told in Cloverfield-esque flashbacks by digital archeologists sorting through found footage from CNN and chips from old digital cameras from the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The heroes are indeed a gay American soldier named (with little irony) Butch and an Iraqi soldier turned militant. Butch is endearing, young, and a ravishingly handsome Marine. Our spies tell us that he 'just wants to fuck and kill everything' in Iraq — until, that is, he falls in love with the Iraqi.

The two meet while Butch is on a combat patrol in Iraq during the second Gulf War, and soon enough, the two are engaged in graphically described sex (actual line from the script: 'They rut like animals behind this fence') albeit while disguised in burqas. The two soldiers’ relationship blossoms, and Butch begins to get to know his lover's family. But after he inadvertently draws attention to their ancestral home, disaster strikes. This tragedy radicalizes the pair and they become convinced that the only way to rid the world of evil is to kill the architect of the invasion, the then-president of the United States, George W. Bush. And so, during one of the president’s secret sorties to Iraq, they attempt to assassinate him."

While I'm initially shocked and surprised that this film comes from the same siblings who brought us The Matrix trilogy, that doesn't stop me from seeing that this film sounds like the perfect sort of box office poison. Fortunately Cobalt Neural 9 would only cost about $20 million to make, so it's likely it will end up getting off the ground, even if it doesn't get pomp and circumstance for a theatrical release (though it's sure to create plenty of controversy). However, Vulture's source says the film will "never,ever" be made by a studio and it will be the money the Wackowski siblings pocketed from The Matrix series that could end up financing it independently.

In the meantime, the duo is also working on a much easier film to sell, the adaptation of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, with Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) writing the script and the talents of Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, James McAvoy and Natalie Portman are already involved. That's going to be their next big budget studio movie, while Cobalt Neural 9 sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. While the story sounds interesting, the contrast of the assassination plot with the graphic homesexual romance doesn't seem like a cohesive blend for one single story. I guess we'll find out if the project actually takes off. Anyone interested?

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25 Comments

what the hell happend to the Wachowski brothers, have they been brain washed, this makes me sad.

qweqwu on Sep 22, 2010

It's sad to see that the lifestyle choices of one of the brothers has made such a huge impact on both their careers as filmmakers.

Darunia on Sep 22, 2010

This sounds pretty crazy, homosex or not the film sounds like it could be a pretty good low budget action flick.

Nick and the big bad B on Sep 22, 2010

I thought it was cool to be gay in the army? Just as long as you don't tell anyone. I bet soldiers get so much ass. - The film seems a bit daft, but so was the Matrix and everyone seemed to like that. Some people actually started wearing trenchcoats and shooting people. Go figure

Crapola on Sep 22, 2010

Oh, I know what happened. See a year ago the film was supposed to take place entirely 100 hundred years from now. But then the unthinkable happened to these brothers....er, siblings, we pulled out of iraq. So there goes that gimmick. "What can we do now? Oh I know, Kill George W. Bush." Also, what occupation? The US never owned the iraq territory. This extreme fear mongering, misinformation, explosion fest just pisses me off. Sorry if this post wasn't very coherent.

Al on Sep 22, 2010

I was sure I wasn't going to watch this from the beginning when the homo part was even slightly thought to be in the movie. There are enough Brokeback Mountains. No need to make another piling heap into another mountain. Major pass, not getting my money, rental, free streaming whatever. Just like grab-ass mountain...pass.

radiogorillaz on Sep 22, 2010

For some reason the words "Southland Tails" kept popping into my mind as I read what this article.

S on Sep 22, 2010

@5... TROOPS IN IRAQ Troops in Iraq - Total 49,700 U.S. troops as of August 23, 2010. All other nations have withdrawn their troops. U.S. Troop Casualties - 4,420 US troops; 98% male. 91% non-officers; 82% active duty, 11% National Guard; 74% Caucasian, 9% African-American, 11% Latino. 19% killed by non-hostile causes. 54% of US casualties were under 25 years old. 72% were from the US Army Non-U.S. Troop Casualties - Total 316, with 179 from the UK US Troops Wounded - 31,926, 20% of which are serious brain or spinal injuries. (Total excludes psychological injuries.) US Troops with Serious Mental Health Problems - 30% of US troops develop serious mental health problems within 3 to 4 months of returning home US Military Helicopters Downed in Iraq - 75 total, at least 36 by enemy fire

peloquin on Sep 22, 2010

#5 and #8 - this site is about movies - give that crap a rest.

beavis on Sep 22, 2010

Oh man. This is going to be BEYOND bizarre. And if it IS as bizarre as I anticipate, then the whole "cohesive blend" worries will evaporate under the tremendously wacky circumstances of the film. It's possible, what with your mind being whipped around by homosex, warfare and crazed romantic love-pact assassinations. Bet your ass that this will be a firecracker. Also: Filmmakers always tailor their films according to their lifestyles. Shit just happens. So the grudges towards the "girly" Wachowski is pretty lame. The other brother obviously doesn't mind.

Cracky on Sep 22, 2010

fuck homophobia

pj on Sep 22, 2010

This sounds like a joke. They've gone beyond "creative" and "original" into "shock everyone with as many controversial subjects as we can jam into a story". They are slowly deteriorating the memory of "The Matrix", much like M.Night is killing his past successes...

Trip on Sep 22, 2010

I'm an Iraq war veteran and I find this movie patently offensive, I didn't vote for G.W. Bush, but these fucktards the Wachowskis should be thrown in prison (although one of them probaly would relish going to jail) for even playing with the idea. I'm all for gays openly serving in the military, I know for a fact I've served with one or two gay soldiers. Hell more bodies for the meat grinder of combat, the Wachowskis have gone off the deep end with this ultra liberal shit. It's as bad as any of these Tea Party halfwits. I'm disgusted.

PimpSlapStick! on Sep 22, 2010

Is this a joke?

ryderup on Sep 22, 2010

#8, By pulled out of iraq I meant major military operations. Which is a fact. Also writing down military statistics does nothing to demerit anything I said, unless we are discussing the logistics of the war. If somehow you were trying to hint that we occupied the country, you need to learn what occupying a country actually means. Seriously though, that whole "lets kill Bush" thing is incredibly immature. Also peloquin, you'd be interested to find out how many innocent iraqous were killed before we entered that country. yeah, they were killed by the insurgents, the ones we were/are fighting. I love how little people know about this war. Oh wait, no I don't, because it leads to stuff like the Wachowski' brothre's (yeah, lana, you aint foolin' anybody) shitfests. Totally inappropriate.

Al on Sep 22, 2010

It's not cool to see some of these comments here, and I wonder how far Firstshowing.net will let it go, cannot remember a comment being removed due to being homophobic, rasist, ect-but there has not been many in the past, right-wing morons may not have noticed this site yet, and its slacking policys on posting commets. This film, somewhat Sci-Fi(its set far in the future) is indeed interesting. I doubt it will make more then 10% of its income in the US, rest will ofc be Europe, where there is a broader mindset? It will be interesting to see all the loons come out and protest this film, both in the streets and on film blogs.

David Banner on Sep 22, 2010

@ David Banner, all the homophobes are just scared that by watching some men get it on they might catch 'the gay'. Just like when a gay dude watches a man-woman lovemaking scene, they instantly become straight. It's true I read it on CNN.

Crapola on Sep 22, 2010

although this story line does not interest me at all i have loved every move the Wachowskis have been involved with. so... yes i will see it and support it unless its crap but shit man i think these guys are FLAWLESS

DoomCanoe on Sep 23, 2010

How the hell will they get away with this?? They are great filmmakers, regardless of how out there this is.

DiR3cT on Sep 23, 2010

we have enough problems in america, we dont need more pro-gay propaganda turning our sons into weak, frail wimps. its not even a "crazy" or "extreme" story, its just pathetic.

chickenpotpie on Sep 23, 2010

@ 20- that is absurd, "turning our sons into weak, frail wimps". Just blatantly offensive. From what i have read about this film the plot seems contrived and not fully thought out. However I trust the brothers to develop it into something fascinating and well put together. But i think you're right, a box office nightmare, but hey i love to see independent financing for films. It shows that filmmaking is about more than dollars and demographics.

Comonsens on Sep 23, 2010

Besides number 20 I dont see any homophobic comments. I've insulted one Wachowski but 1) that doesn't make me homophobic, and 2) I only have a problem with him because of his wacko insane advocation of killing george w. bush. So do I think this trash is disgusting? Absolutely. But its not because of the homosexual aspect. Its because of the whole, LETS KILL W. aspect. Which is extraordinarily controversial. I mean seriously, because the movie seems like a gimmick, all of a sudden I hate gay people? please.

Al on Sep 23, 2010

Possibly future/sci-fi action movie featuring a gay romance? Hot and awesome. Plots detailing US soldier's attempt to assassinate former presidents: NOT AWESOME. I'm torn. Can we get column A without B, Wachowskis?

L on Sep 23, 2010

Reading most of the comments, look at what sort of controversy this has already exposed just between the people here on first showing. Just imagine this getting around by word of mouth when it does get released, what then? To say the Wachowski's have lost all sense, or certain life decisions have affected their judgement is improper. This seems like it will be interesting and be a conflict of debate for a long time after its release. Who would of thought two gay cowboys could have stirred the pot for so many macheesemo men in western society, to this day I still hear the term "You're not gonna go "Brokeback Mountain" on me" or something along that line in place of the already polictically in-correct terms of gay or fag.

Hairu on Oct 5, 2010

Need famous Indian actors in it too. To jack up the PROFITS from Asian continent.

watchow on Oct 30, 2010

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