Columbia Pictures is set to bring a new adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein’s sci-fi novel, Starship Troopers, to the big screen. with South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp directing. Blomkamp will write and direct the feature, which is expected to be an adaptation of the 1959 novel and not a remake of the Paul Verhoeven 1997 film from the same source.
According to a Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive, Blomkamp will also produce the film alongside his partner and wife, Terri Tatchell. The couple were both responsible for Blomkamp’s breakout film District 9 as well as the 2015 picture Chappie.
Starship Troopers is the story of a war between Earth and a host of aliens who look like bugs. The story is led by military man Johnny Rico. The novel won a Hugo award and the Verhoeven’s adaption has gathered a cult following in the years since its release, although the film didn’t fare well at the cinemas.
Following the first film’s failure at the box office, plans for a major sequel were ditched. Instead, two low-budget movies were made, after which the narrative continued in two animation projects. Talk of a reboot never materialised either. Until now, with Blomkamp at the helm. Blomkamp would probably be hoping his version of the story follows the success of his last picture, Gran Turismo. That film grossed over $120m worldwide.
Born in Johannesburg, Blomkamp moved with his family to Canada when he turned 18. There he attended film school and later made short films, some of which led to his meeting Peter Jackson. The Lord of the Rings director produced Blomkamp’s first feature film, District 9, which became a box office smash and received a Best Picture Oscar nomination at the 2010 Academy Awards.
It wasn’t all roses. At the time, the film’s naming of a villainous character seemingly after a Nigerian president spurred some controversy. The film was also criticised for having a “white saviour”.
In 2017, Blomkamp also launched his own film production company, Oats Studios. Oats Studios Volume 1 was later announced as a series of “experimental films” available on the Steam app. The first short film released under the Oats Studios banner is Rakka, an alien invasion-themed movie Blomkamp co-wrote with novelist Tom Sweterlitsch.
