Neill Blomkamp is set to direct and write a new adaptation of ‘Starship Troopers’.
The director, known for District 9 and Chappie, has been tapped by Sony’s Columbia Pictures for the project, according to Variety.
It added the project will take its inspiration from the original 1959 sci-fi novel of the same title by Robert A. Heinlein, rather than Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 satirical adaptation of the book.
It will mark a return to high-concept science fiction for Neill, 44, who has built his career on blending social commentary with action-heavy storytelling.
The project also reunites him with producer and longtime collaborator Terri Tatchell, 46. Sony, which previously worked with Neill on ‘Gran Turismo’.
It has not yet revealed casting or production timelines, Variety reported.
While plot details remain under wraps, the film is expected to lean into writer Robert’s militaristic themes rather than Paul Verhoeven’s satirical approach.
The original novel follows Johnny Rico, a soldier in the mobile Infantry, as he rises through the ranks in humanity’s war against an insectoid alien species known as the Arachnids.
Neil first gained prominence with ‘District 9’, a politically charged sci-fi drama about alien refugees in South Africa, which earned four Academy Award nominations, including best picture and best adapted screenplay.
He later directed ‘Elysium’, starring Matt Damon, and ‘Chappie’, featuring members of the South African rap-rave group Die Antwoord.
Sony’s first adaptation of ‘Starship Troopers’, released in 1997 under its TriStar Pictures banner, was a box office disappointment despite its $100 million budget.
Starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris, the film grossed $121 million worldwide but later developed a cult following for its over-the-top violence and satirical take on militarism.
The film’s home media success led to several lower-budget sequels, including ‘Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation’ from 2004 and ‘Starship Troopers 3: Marauder’ (2008), as well as animated features ‘Starship Troopers: Invasion’ (2012) and ‘Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars’ (2017.)
Reports of a reboot have circulated for over a decade, but Neill’s involvement signals a significant step forward for the project, industry insiders say.