What’s that buzzing noise? Why, it’s the sound of an upcoming STARSHIP TROOPERS reboot. Sony Pictures producer Neil H. Moritz has announced his intention to bring us a new version of Paul Verhoeven’s bug splatting war epic. The 1997 original, starring Casper Van Dien (SLEEPY HOLLOW) and Denise Richards (WILD THINGS) was, and is, loved and loathed in equal measure. But, by bringing on board screenwriting duo Zack Stentz and Edward Miller, the men behind this years THOR and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, this could actually be pretty good.
This is not the first Verhoeven movie to be updated by Moritz. Alongside Toby Jaffe, he is currently producing a remake of TOTAL RECALL (1990) with Colin Farrell assuming the role of Doug Quaid, made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Much like that film is reported to refer back to the source novel, WE CAN REMEMBER IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE by Philip K. Dick, this TROOPERS remake will likely do the same. The book by Robert A. Heinlein differed greatly from the big screen adaptation, though critics at the time said that may have been for the best.
The big question must be whether it will feature Casper Van Dien and give his career a much needed boost? For all our sakes, I pray the answer is yes.
