Sony is reportedly developing a new adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel "Starship Troopers," with Neill Blomkamp, known for directing "District 9," "Elysium," and "Chappie," set to write and direct. This project, announced by The Hollywood Reporter and corroborated by Deadline and Variety, will be a fresh take on the novel and is not connected to Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic film of the same name. The new film will be produced under Sony's Columbia Pictures.
The involvement of Blomkamp in this project comes at an intriguing time, as Sony recently announced a live-action adaptation of the popular PlayStation game "Helldivers," which draws significant inspiration from Verhoeven's "Starship Troopers." "Helldivers" features soldiers fighting for a satirical fascist regime against alien bugs and other threats, echoing themes from the 1997 film.
This development raises questions about the potential overlap between the two projects, especially since both are under Sony's umbrella. However, The Hollywood Reporter clarifies that Blomkamp's "Starship Troopers" will focus on a more faithful adaptation of Heinlein's novel, which differs significantly in tone from Verhoeven's satirical take. The book is often interpreted as promoting the very ideals that the film mocks.
As of now, neither the new "Starship Troopers" nor the "Helldivers" movie has a confirmed release date, indicating that fans may have to wait some time before seeing these projects come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was Sony's "Gran Turismo," based on the long-standing PlayStation driving simulation series.
