The battle for “Managed Democracy” is officially moving from your console to the cinema. Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions have confirmed that Justin Lin will direct the live-action adaptation of Helldivers, the hit co-op franchise from Arrowhead Game Studios.
Lin is famously credited with turning the Fast & Furious series into a multi-billion-dollar global juggernaut. He is also no stranger to science fiction, having directed the well-received Star Trek Beyond. Insiders suggest Lin’s pitch focused on finding “the humanity in the characters” and building out the game’s unique mythology, despite not being a gamer himself.
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In a surprising genre mashup, the script has been written by Gary Dauberman. While Helldivers is known for its over-the-top action and satire, Dauberman is a titan of the horror world. He is the pen behind the massive It and It Chapter Two adaptations, as well as the Annabelle series and The Nun.
The story will follow the elite shock troopers of Super Earth as they wage war against extraterrestrial threats like the Bugs, Cyborgs, and the Illuminate. The source material is heavily inspired by Starship Troopers, blending high-octane combat with a tongue-in-cheek take on hyper-patriotism.
A Growing Slate for PlayStation Productions
This project joins a growing list of successful adaptations from PlayStation Productions. Following the $407 million global box office of Uncharted and the Emmy-winning success of HBO’s The Last of Us, Sony is clearly leaning into its biggest gaming IPs.
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For Lin, this marks another potential franchise. He is also currently attached to the live-action One-Punch Man adaptation and the Keanu Reeves comic BRZRKR at Netflix. While a release date for Helldivers hasn’t been set, the massive success of Helldivers 2—which sold over 12 million units in its first four months—suggests Sony will be looking to move quickly.
Catch Justin Lin’s Latest Work at BFI Southbank
Before he heads to Super Earth, you can catch Justin Lin’s return to independent filmmaking with his latest drama, Last Days. The film tells the true story of missionary John Allen Chau and his attempt to reach the remote North Sentinel Island.
This special screening is presented in collaboration with MilkTea Films, a platform dedicated to showcasing East and South East Asian talent. In fact, Lin discovered the film’s lead, Sky Yang, at a MilkTea event held at BFI Southbank three years ago.
Don’t miss out! Go to the BFI Southbank website now to book your tickets for Last Days and see why critics at Sundance are raving about Lin’s latest work.
