Sony Reboots Starship Troopers After Helldivers Movie Announcement

Sony is reportedly developing a new reboot of the iconic Starship Troopers franchise, with acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp set to helm the project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Blomkamp, known for his work on films like District 9, Elysium, and Chappie, will both write and direct this fresh take on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel. This news has been corroborated by other reputable sources such as Deadline and Variety.

Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers satirized the novel upon which it is based. Photo by TriStar Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images.

This upcoming adaptation, produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures, will not be a sequel or a direct continuation of Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic sci-fi satire Starship Troopers. Instead, it aims to be a new interpretation of Heinlein's original work, distinct from Verhoeven's film which notably satirized the novel's themes.

The announcement of Blomkamp's involvement with the project raises interesting questions, especially considering Sony's recent reveal of a live-action adaptation of the popular PlayStation Studios game Helldivers. Helldivers, developed by Arrowhead, draws significant inspiration from Verhoeven's Starship Troopers, featuring a storyline where expendable soldiers defend a satirical fascist regime called Super Earth from alien threats, all while promoting concepts like Liberty and Managed Democracy.

With both the new Starship Troopers and Helldivers movies in development, Sony may find itself navigating potential overlaps in themes and audiences. However, The Hollywood Reporter clarifies that Blomkamp's version will focus on a more faithful adaptation of Heinlein's novel, which differs significantly in tone from Verhoeven's satirical take. Many interpret Heinlein's book as endorsing the very ideals that Verhoeven's film mocks.

As of now, neither the new Starship Troopers nor the Helldivers project has a confirmed release date, suggesting that fans might have to wait a while before seeing either film come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was Gran Turismo, another Sony production based on the PlayStation-exclusive racing simulation series.