(Left) Neill Blomkamp director of ‘Gran Turismo.’ (Right) 1997’s ‘Starship Troopers’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
Preview:
- Neill Blomkamp is tackling ‘Starship Troopers.’
- He’ll adapt Robert Heinlein’s battle-happy 1959 novel.
- The story sees humanity threatened but insectoid aliens.
While fans of South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp might prefer him to keep working on a follow-up to cult hit ‘District 9,’ the director has other ideas.
Having pumped out other projects and spent a frustrating period trying to get his chance at an ‘Alien’ movie, Blomkamp has now zeroed in on a new concept. Or rather, a new take on a previously-adapted book.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, his target now is Robert Heinlein’s novel about a huge, galaxy-spanning battle between humans and arachnid alien creatures, a story first brought to screens by ‘RoboCop’ director Paul Verhoeven back in 1997 and titled ‘Starship Troopers‘.
Sony’s Columbia Pictures label has Blomkamp making his own version of the story instead of a remake of the 1997 movie. He’ll write and direct, producing the movie alongside Terri Tatchell, his partner and wife who co-wrote ‘District 9’ and 2015 outing ‘Chappie.’
Most recently, Blomkamp brought us the racing game adaptation ‘Gran Turismo,’ which was a success for Sony.
Given that Blomkamp’s work –– particularly ‘District 9,’ which dealt with the aftermath of aliens landing in South Africa –– often touches on political and moral themes, ‘Starship Troopers’ feels like something he can get his teeth into, and we’ll have to wait and see how he tackle’s the novel’s complicated themes.
What do we mean by complicated? Do you want to know more? Read on…
What’s the story of the original ‘Starship Troopers’ novel?
1997’s ‘Starship Troopers’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
Published in 1959, Heinlein’s book is set in a future society ruled by a human interstellar government called the Terran Federation, dominated by a military elite.
Under the Terran Federation, only veterans of Federal Service (including, but not limited to, military service) enjoy full citizenship, such as the right to vote. The narrative follows Juan “Johnny” Rico, a young man of Filipino descent, through his military service in the Mobile Infantry.
He progresses from recruit to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between humans and an alien species known as “Arachnids” or “Bugs.” Interspersed with the primary plot are classroom scenes in which Rico and others discuss philosophical and moral issues, including aspects of suffrage, civic virtue, juvenile delinquency, and war; these discussions have been described as sharing Heinlein’s own political views.
‘Starship Troopers’ has been identified with a tradition of militarism in US science fiction, and draws parallels between the conflict between humans and the Bugs, and the Cold War. It also uses a coming of age framework to criticize the US society of the 1950s, arguing that a lack of discipline had led to a moral decline, and advocates corporal and capital punishment.
While the book won a Hugo Award for best novel and has been quite influential in sci-fi literature, some quarters described the book as fascist, and it is certainly viewed as problematic by today’s standards.
Related Article: Director Neill Blomkamp Talks ‘Gran Turismo’ and Jann Mardenborough’s Story
What about the first movie adaptation of ‘Starship Troopers’?
1997’s ‘Starship Troopers’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
Dutch director Verhoeven, working from a script by Edward Neumeier, took a more satirical approach to the novel in his bombastic 1997 sci-fi movie adaptation.
Verhoeven was over-the-top in his depiction of the military jingoism and propaganda, fetishized costumes, and highlighted Nazi influences.
With Casper Van Dien as Rico, leading a cast that also included Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Ironside, the movie was not initially a success, and some critics accused Verhoeven of putting a positive spin on fascism. But it has since developed a reappraisal and a cult following.
While it earned just $121 million on a $105 million budget, it spawned two movie spin-offs, ‘Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation,’ directed by Phil Tippett, and ‘Starship Troopers 3: Marauder,’ which saw Neumeier take over directorial duties (he also scripted both follow-up). Both were straight to home entertainment.
2008’s ‘Starship Troopers 3: Marauder’. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
The franchise expanded to the small screen to include animated entries ‘Starship Troopers: Invasion’ and ‘Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars,’ while there was also the series ‘Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles.’
In 2011, ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise producer Neal H. Moritz announced the first stab at a new ‘Troopers’ movie, with ‘Baywatch’ film writing duo Mark Swift and Damian Shannon aboard to script. But it seemingly stalled in development.
Another version, pushed by producer Toby Jaffe looked to take its own approach, as he told Empire:
“Verhoeven took Robert Heinlein’s 1959 novel from one extreme and made it almost comical, whereas our job is to be a little more faithful to the book, and ground it a little more.”
But again, that attempt didn’t seem to take off. Perhaps Blomkamp will have more luck…
When will the new ‘Starship Troopers’ movie be on screens?
Sony’s Columbia Pictures arm has yet to announce when this one might see the inside of theaters, but it sounds like it won’t be ready until late 2026 at the earliest.
Director Neill Blomkamp (center) and the real Jann Mardenborough (right) with additional crew on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘Gran Turismo. Photo: Gordon Timpen.
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