Columbia Taps Writer/Director Neill Blomkamp for New ‘Starship Troopers’ Film

“Starship Troopers” are back. And they’ve found the man to lead them into battle.

Neill Blomkamp has been hired by Columbia Pictures to write and direct a new version of the story, this time going back to the original story by Robert A. Heinlein, which was originally published as a two-part serial in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction before being collected and released as a novel in 1959.

The story follows Johnny Rico and his band of roughnecks, who go into battle against an army of intelligent insects but plot specifics are being kept under wraps. Blomkamp is writing the script and producing alongside Terri Tatchell.

“Starship Troopers” had been adapted once before, in 1997, by “RoboCop” director Paul Verhoeven and writer Edward Neumeier for TriStar Pictures and Touchstone Pictures. That version leaned into the political satire, full of fascistic imagery and jingoistic propagandizing. That hard R-rated film starred Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico, with a supporting cast that included Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Ironside.

Blomkamp last directed “Gran Turismo” for Sony Pictures, which was a critical and commercial success, with $122 million worldwide. His first feature, 2009’s “District 9,” was a smash and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In the years since, he has carved out a nice for thoughtful, high-concept science fiction like “Elysium” and “Chappie.” He has also, over the years, been attached to several preexisting properties, including an “Aliens” sequel, a “RoboCop” remake and a follow-up to “District 9.”

He is represented by CAA and Michael Gendler and Sarah Cunnigham at GKC Law.

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