There are few science fiction action movies that divide opinion quite like 1997's Starship Troopers. Verging between the graphic and the downright strange, the over-the-top production made a mark to collect $121.2m at the box office. And, according to THR, it is set to be given a makeover for a modern audience.
The timing might be poignant given the current social and political climate. Therefore Columbia Pictures has already assigned a couple of key behind-the-scenes players to bring the project to life. Mark Swift and Damian Shannon are penning the script whilst Toby Jaffe and Neal H. Moritz are coming on board to produce the picture.
Fascism A Key Feature With Heinlein's Original Story
Starship Troopers is a film based on the sci-fi war novel by Robert A. Heinlein. A story that uses a sense of parody and black humor to explore themes of fascism through the eyes of the main character Johnny Rico. A soldier who works his way up the military ranks. An interstellar war breaks out against an army of alien bugs. Hence, the whole sci-fi element. And, while there are some intense scenes and moments of drama, it never ventures far from it's satirical roots. In addition the film was sure to have moments of nudity. So, kudos for that.
The names already assigned to the reboot might give an indication of what to expect. Moritz worked with the Fast & Furious franchise, and Jaffe helped revive the 1990 cult hit Total Recall. Screenwriters Swift and Shannon though have developed the Zac Efron-Dwayne Johnson spinoff/remake of Baywatch, lending itself to the notion this will be another tongue-in-cheek version of the narrative.
Tapping Into Cult Following Rather Than Critical Success
None of the original cast members are said to be returning for the remake. Whilst the 1997 installment had a sizeable budget at the time with $100m, the names attached were not of the same profile. Seeing a young Neil Patrick Harris at the time join with Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Michael Ironside and Casper Van Dien in the lead role.
But this will not be a reboot in the true sense, as it is set to go back to the original Heinlein novel. Sticking to that story rather than recreate what went before nearly two decades previous. Matthew Milam will be representing the studio, as they hope to easily surpass the mini franchise. The same franchise that could only muster three direct-to-DVD movies since the first.
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