Director Neil Blomkamp, known for District 9  and Chappie, is reported to direct an updated version of Starship Troopers. His version, however, will be a more faithful rendition of the original novel rather than a remake of Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 sci-fi film of the same name. The original Starship Troopers is known for its cult following following its reappraisal after some critics viewed Verhoeven’s epic as fascist propaganda. It is the same over-the-top military sci-fi violence that influenced Verhoeven in Robocop, and Total Recall.

As the original 1959 novel details an interstellar war between humans and bug-like aliens, there is a rise of a military hero named Johnny Rico. The novel is known for its military life and voting rights in a politically dystopian society. The novel won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and has become quite influential in science fiction literature.

As Columbia Pictures will be making the new Starship Troopers, Blomkamp recently had success working with Sony in Gran Turismo. Blomkamp also tackled themes of aliens and society before in District 9.

With Blomkamp being a native of South Africa, he will be teaming up with his partner and wife, Terri Tatchell, who will also act as Starship Trooper‘s producer. Neil Blomkamp will be writing and directing this venture as its auteur.