Sony is reportedly developing a new reboot of the Starship Troopers franchise, with acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp, known for films like District 9, Elysium, and Chappie, set to write and direct. This information has been confirmed by multiple Hollywood sources, including The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Variety.

This new adaptation will be based directly on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 military sci-fi novel, and is being produced by Sony's Columbia Pictures. It will not be connected to Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic, which famously satirized the source material.

The announcement of Blomkamp's involvement comes at an interesting time, as Sony recently unveiled plans for a live-action adaptation of Helldivers, a popular PlayStation Studios shooter. Helldivers draws heavy inspiration from Verhoeven's Starship Troopers, featuring soldiers fighting alien bugs in a satirical fascist regime called Super Earth.

Sony now faces the challenge of managing two projects that, while distinct, share thematic similarities. The Hollywood Reporter emphasized that Blomkamp's version will return to the tone and themes of Heinlein's original novel, which differs significantly from Verhoeven's satirical take.

Currently, neither the new Starship Troopers nor the Helldivers movie has a confirmed release date, suggesting fans may have to wait a while to see these projects come to fruition. Blomkamp's most recent work was Gran Turismo, another Sony production based on the PlayStation driving simulation series.