Sony is set to reboot the iconic "Starship Troopers" franchise with a new film adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Variety, acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp, known for films like "District 9," "Elysium," and "Chappie," will helm this project. Blomkamp is tasked with both writing and directing this new take, which will be produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures.

Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers satirized the novel upon which it is based. Photo by TriStar Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images.

This upcoming movie is distinct from Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 cult classic "Starship Troopers," which took a satirical approach to Heinlein's work. Blomkamp's version aims to be a fresh adaptation of the original novel, diverging significantly from Verhoeven's interpretation.

Interestingly, Sony's decision to greenlight this project comes shortly after the announcement of a live-action adaptation of the popular PlayStation game "Helldivers," developed by Arrowhead. "Helldivers" draws heavy inspiration from Verhoeven's "Starship Troopers," featuring a similar premise of soldiers battling alien bugs in a dystopian, satirical setting.

The simultaneous development of these two projects poses an intriguing challenge for Sony, as "Starship Troopers" and "Helldivers" share thematic similarities yet will explore different tones. While "Helldivers" embraces the satirical elements akin to Verhoeven's film, Blomkamp's "Starship Troopers" aims to stay true to Heinlein's more serious and nuanced original text.

As of now, neither the new "Starship Troopers" nor the "Helldivers" movie has a confirmed release date. Fans will need to wait patiently for further updates on these eagerly anticipated projects. Blomkamp's most recent directorial effort was Sony's "Gran Turismo," which adapted the renowned PlayStation driving simulation series into a feature film.