Sony is reportedly developing a new reboot of the Starship Troopers franchise, with acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp, known for films like District 9, Elysium, and Chappie, set to write and direct. This new project, announced by The Hollywood Reporter and corroborated by Deadline and Variety, will be a fresh adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel, produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures. It is important to note that this film will not be a sequel or related to Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic, which offered a satirical take on the source material.
The announcement of Blomkamp's involvement in the new Starship Troopers project comes at an interesting time, as Sony recently revealed plans for a live-action adaptation of the popular PlayStation game Helldivers. Helldivers, developed by Arrowhead, draws significant inspiration from Verhoeven's Starship Troopers, featuring soldiers fighting for a satirical fascist regime against alien bugs and other foes, all while promoting the concepts of Liberty and Managed Democracy.
With both projects in development, Sony faces the unique challenge of having two films that, while different in their approach, share thematic elements. Blomkamp's version aims to return to the original tone and themes of Heinlein's novel, which contrasts sharply with the satirical nature of Verhoeven's film. Many interpret Heinlein's book as promoting the very ideals that Verhoeven's movie mocks.
As of now, neither the new Starship Troopers nor the Helldivers movie has a confirmed release date, suggesting that fans may have to wait a while before seeing either project come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was Sony's Gran Turismo, an adaptation of the renowned PlayStation driving simulation series.
