"Keloid" Sci-Fi Movie Trailer Outgrows Internet, Gets Big-Name Backing

A revamp of a speculative movie trailer about good robots and bad robots that has been making the rounds on Vimeo and YouTube for two years is finally gaining traction in the legit entertainment industry, the Hollywood Reporter revealed. Keloid, the sci-fi short by BLR VFX (Big Lazy Robot Visual Effects), is being discussed by the likes of heavy hitters Roy Lee, Scott Glassgold and Raymond Brothers as a viable investment for full production, much to early fans' salivation.

The background: "In a not too distant future, societies of all countries come to rely on an intricate network of artificial intelligence devices designed to bring efficacy to man's life. Yet, man continues to devour himself in useless wars. A strong political hierarchy now divides all powers into three factions, and A. I. devices rapidly gain ground as efficiency becomes a priority."

In other words, it's an allegory about the Internet, our love of devices, and our belief in their ability to both simplify and enrich our lives. It's about our endless unpopular wars, the handful of regional superpowers that dominate the world economy, and the steady march towards resource efficiency through technological innovation.

It's your basic thinly veiled technodystopia. People are revolting, humans are relinquishing social control to machines, and a little girl is sad. What sets this video apart from others of its ilk is that it is already extremely good-looking—fittingly enough, considering BLR front man J.J. Palomo of Spain worked with Avatar's Aaron Beck on the concept design. The industrial soundtrack itself probably has Trent Reznor giving standing ovations.

The built-in audience for Keloid is likely part of the appeal for Lee, who specializes in remaking Asian films for the U.S. and had a hand in producing The Ring, The Grudge, The Departed, and the 2013 remake of Oldboy.