STARSHIP TROOPERS: Remake to Paul Verhoeven Film In The Works

Starship Troopers Reboot In The Works. Hollywood’s current love affair with remakes and reboots continues, as plans for a Starship Troopers (1997) remake moves forward.

We first heard news of the possible reboot in 2012; it now appears the remake of the sci-fi cult classic is actually in the works. Recently, director Paul Verhoeven’s films have been fuel for Hollywood’s unquenchable obsession with remakes. His film Total Recall (1990) received a disappointing reboot in 2012 and the remake of his first sci-fi hit, Robocop (1987), is due out February of this year. Some joke it’s only a matter of time before Verhoeven’s entire filmography gets a 21st century update.

Starship Troopers, originally a novel written by Robert A. Heinlein in 1959; accounts the tale of a futuristic war between humans and a race of ruthless, giant extraterrestrial arachnids for humankind’s survival. The first film, a loose adaption of the novel, starred Casper Van Dien and a hammed up Neil Patrick Harris. The film earned itself a cult following, inspired several straight-to-DVD sequels, and influenced the career renaissance of Neil Patrick Harris as an adult actor.

Like other films to get the green light for a remake; chances are this new Starship Troopers movie will receive a grittier, more dramatic cinematic makeover than its satirical predecessor. Notable hints have been dropped that the film’s original satire would be given a more “grounded” overhaul. We suspect this update will also be a more loyal interpretation of the original source material, similar to Total Recall with producer Neal H. Moritz backing the film. Moritz (who also produced 2012’s Total Recall) enlisted writing team Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz to script the Starship Troopers franchise reboot. Miller and Stentz’ collaborative resume include screenplays for Thor (2011), X-Men: First Class (2011); Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008), Fringe (2008); oh, and let’s not forget silver screen gem, the Agent Cody Banks (2003) franchise flop. Stentz tweeted that the new version will be “less a satire & more an actual adaptation of the Heinlein novel”.  He summarized his artistic vision as, “An Officer & A Gentleman in power armour”.

This is cause for concern for many critics, fans of the original franchise, and even Director Verhoeven who had this to say of the then potential remake, “I don’t know if they’re going to do Starship Troopers after the failure of Total Recall.” He also stated, “Yes, they bought the rights, we know that, but I really thought they made a mistake when they did the remake by making it so serious.” And, “I’m not so sure [that approach] will work for [Starship Troopers] either. I think all of these films are accepted because they don’t take themselves so seriously. There’s a lightness, you believe it, but we also know it’s not true.”

Is it safe to assume Verhoeven isn’t too keen on Hollywood’s unnecessary need to “update” every past bankable franchise, either?

Be sure to check back in with us on the status of the Starship Troopers reboot as the story develops. Leave your thoughts on the Starship Troopers reboot below in the comments section. For more Starship Troopers photos, videos, and information, visit our Starship Troopers Page, subscribe to us by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, and “like” us on Facebook.

Source: IMDB, Screenrant, Yahoo! Movies UK