Sony is set to reboot the iconic "Starship Troopers" franchise with a new film adaptation, directed by Neill Blomkamp, known for his work on "District 9," "Elysium," and "Chappie." According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Variety, Blomkamp will not only direct but also write the script for this new take on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel.
This project, produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures, will not be a sequel or related to Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 cult classic "Starship Troopers." Instead, it aims to be a fresh adaptation of Heinlein’s original work, diverging from the satirical tone of Verhoeven's film.
Interestingly, Sony's recent announcement of a live-action "Helldivers" movie, inspired by the PlayStation Studios shooter game, adds a layer of complexity. "Helldivers," developed by Arrowhead, echoes the themes of Verhoeven’s "Starship Troopers," featuring soldiers defending a satirical fascist regime against alien threats while promoting the concepts of Liberty and Managed Democracy.
With both "Starship Troopers" and "Helldivers" in development, Sony faces the challenge of managing two projects that, while distinct, share thematic similarities. Blomkamp’s version is expected to hew closer to Heinlein’s novel, which some interpret as promoting the very ideals that Verhoeven’s film satirized.
As of now, neither film has a confirmed release date, suggesting that fans may have to wait a while before seeing these projects come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was Sony's "Gran Turismo," based on the popular PlayStation driving simulation series.
