Sony is reportedly developing a new reboot of the "Starship Troopers" franchise, with acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp set to helm the project. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Variety, Blomkamp will write and direct this fresh adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel. This upcoming film will not be a sequel or connected to Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic "Starship Troopers," but rather a standalone take on the original source material, produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures.
The announcement of Blomkamp's involvement has raised eyebrows, especially considering Sony's recent reveal of 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 dubbed Super Earth against alien bugs and other foes, all while promoting the concepts of Liberty and Managed Democracy.
With both projects in development, Sony finds itself in a unique position, potentially pitting a new "Starship Troopers" film against "Helldivers." However, The Hollywood Reporter clarifies that Blomkamp's vision aims to return to the tone and themes of Heinlein's novel, which starkly contrasts with Verhoeven's satirical take. Heinlein's work is often interpreted as endorsing the very ideals that Verhoeven's film mocked.
As of now, neither the new "Starship Troopers" nor the "Helldivers" movie has a set release date, indicating fans may have to wait a while before seeing these projects come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was "Gran Turismo," another Sony production based on the iconic PlayStation racing simulation series.
