American and Japanese Filmmakers Unite for New Computer Animated Film Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Japan Official Movie Site: starshiptroopersinvasion-movie.com (US), ssti.jp (Japan)
The STARSHIP TROOPERS saga continues with STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION (??????????????????????), an upcoming US/Japanese co-production from Sony Pictures. The fourth entry in the film franchise based on the award-winning novel by Robert A Heinlein, STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION will be a direct sequel to the theatrical feature STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997), ignoring the events of the direct-to-video sequels STARSHIP TROOPERS 2: HERO OF THE FEDERATION (2004) and STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER (2008). But unlike the previous films, the new movie is fully computer animated. STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION will be released theatrically Japan on July 21st, with the American release planned for home video this summer. Directing the film is Shinji Aramaki. Known for his great action direction and amazing visuals, Aramaki dazzled fans with the astonishing sequences and storytelling in APPLESEED (???????, Appurushiido, 2004) and its sequel, APPLESEED: EX-MACHINA (?????????????, Appurushiido Ex Machina, 2007). Regarded as a production designer with a unique and creative sense of designing futuristic mechs, he started his career with the anime title ROBOTECH as the mechanical designer, followed by numerous titles as production designer. His extensive list of credits includes DIGIMON TAMERS (?????????, Dejimon Teimaazu, 2001), ASTRO BOY (?????????????, Asutoro Boi Tetsuwan Atomu, 2003), WOLF`S RAIN (???????, Urufuzu Rein, 2003), NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW (??? NARUTO ???! ??????????!!, Gekij?ban Naruto Daikatsugeki! Yukihime Ninpoochoo dattebayo!!, 2004), MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM MS IGLOO (???????? MS????, Kidoo Senshi Gandamu Emuesu Iguruu, 2004), BUBBLEGUM CRISIS (??????????, Baburugamu Kuraishisu, 1987), FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST (??????, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, 2003), FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST THE MOVIE: CONQUEROR OF SHAMBALLA (??? ?????? ?????????, Gekij?ban Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Shanbara o Yuku Mono, 2005), and SOUL EATER (???????, Sooru Iitaa, 2008). Executive producer Edward Neumeier wrote and co-produced ROBOCOP (1987) for director Paul Verhoeven. The two re-teamed STARSHIP TROOPERS, and Neumeier would go onto produce all four films in the series. His credits include ROBOCOP 2 (1990), ROBOCOP 3 (1993) and ANACONDAS: THE HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID (2004).
Also returning to STARSHIP TROOPERS as an executive producer is Casper Van Dien, who starred as the hero Johnny Rico in STARSHIP TROOPERS and STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER. His acting credits include the films TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY (1998), THE OMEGA CODE (1999), SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999), BORN TO RIDE (2011), SHIVER (2011) and PRINCE PAUL ROYAL EXILE (2011). Joseph Chou is a film/anime producer, specializing in developing and producing various anime projects and live action film adaptations of hit anime &and video game franchises. His credits include APPLESEED: EX MACHINA, VIPER`S CREED (???????????, Vaipaazu Kuriido, 2009), HALO LEGENDS (??????????, 2010), THE KING OF FIGHTERS (2010) and Aramaki`s SPACE PIRATE: CAPTAIN HARLOCK (??????????????, Uchuu Kaizoku Kyaputen Haarokku, 2013). Screenwriter Flint Dille`s career started by turning toys into TV Shows with TRANSFORMERS G1, G.I. JOE, INHUMANOIDS and VISIONARIES. He has designed games with Gary Gygax and written movies for Steven Spielberg. He created the `Comics Module` for TSR, a comic book that contained both roleplaying and tabletop gaming content. Dille has won `Game Script of the Year` for RIDDICK: ESCAPE FROM BUTCHER BAY and DEAD TO RIGHTS, and was nominated for GHOSTBUSTERS and DARK ATHENA. He has worked on crown jewel franchises including James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Tiny Toons, Batman, Superman, Dungeons & Dragons, Teen Titans and Scooby-Doo.
The story of STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION takes place ten years after the events of the first film. The distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The Alpha 1 Roughneck team on the fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden -- commanded by Carmen Ibanez -- stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. The Alpha 1 rescue team must band together with the K-12 team already stationed at Fort Casey, but personalities and ambition ensure a bumpy ride. Over Carmen`s objections, Dr. Carl Jenkins, now minister of Paranormal Warfare, takes over the John A. Warden before its rendezvous with the Alesia. Heading a clandestine deep space experiment, Carl disappears with the ship off into the vast nebula. But when the John A. Warden goes radio-silent, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a new rescue mission by general/war-hero Johnny Rico. Central to the mission is Major Henry Varro, nicknamed "Hero", the former commander of the K-12 team at Fort Casey who was arrested for insubordination by Carl Jenkins. Now a prisoner on the ship Alesia and subject to court marshal, his experience -- in combination with the undying trust of the troopers -- is an asset the Federation won’t be able to survive without indefinitely... or they will all face much more sinister consequences than they ever could have imagined.