Every 90s kid will tell you there were several action films they never grew bored of watching; anything with Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, or Arnold Schwarzenegger in, and then Starship Troopers. The film was a huge pop culture hit, spawning a franchise still going today, and with multiple movies, animated films, comics, books, and of course video games.
Casper Van Dien was the hero of the story, playing Johnny Rico, a plucky private with a point to prove, before rising (and falling) through the ranks to end up where he is now, leading the upcoming console release of Starship Troopers: Extermination, as part of the single-player campaign not only contained within the same universe of the films but continuing on our favorite 90s sci-fi hero’s story.
We were lucky enough to speak to the man himself about the upcoming entry into the franchise, what the future contains, and the inevitable comparisons to Helldivers 2.
[This was a written interview, therefore followup questions weren’t possible. Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.]
As the face of Starship Troopers, you are no stranger to the Universe. Before getting involved with Offworld with the single-player content, what did you make of the game as a whole?
I love that I have been attached to the Starship Troopers world for 28 years and counting. It is a thrill to be back as General J. Rico in Starship Troopers: Extermination. The game has been something I have said should be done since I first saw the finished film. I told some of my friends at Sony that they should make a Starship Troopers game.
Then I saw many different games that everyone would say, “This was like Starship Troopers” or “This was a tribute to Starship Troopers”… So to finally have Starship Troopers Extermination which is exactly like being in the movie, is a dream come true for me. I think the game is everything I have dreamed of and more. Offworld did it right.
And would you consider yourself a gamer at all? If so, what do you play?
I used to play a lot of games. I sometimes play with my daughter Grace Van Dien, and we have now played Starship Troopers: Extermination together and plan to play it together often. We have the best time with everyone online as I play as ‘generaljrico’. Troopers have a lot of fun when they hear me come through saying movie quotes.
Do you think the game has encompassed the universe you started in 1997?
Yes! It is exactly like being in the movie. It has all the bugs and elements from all 5 films, plus new, enhanced bugs, troopers, and weapons. I love where Offworld has taken the stories 27 years later, making sure to pay tribute to the genius of the film while addressing some of the issues the fans had with the follow-up films. They made it flow perfectly with the original concept.
It is truly wonderful to have the creative types, who you can see obviously love the films, put everything that they have into the game. Obviously, their fandom makes the game even better.
When taking the role all those years ago, did you envisage it having such a significant impact on your life?
Being Johnny Rico has been one of the greatest thrills of my life. The reactions I get from fans of the film are rewarding and humbling.
How did you find the differences between being on set and acting in front of a green screen with the bugs, compared to the techniques used for game development?
Every time I step into the role it is an absolute thrill for me. I love it in every iteration that comes to fruition. There is no separation between live action and animation and game VO. It is all the same role. Being Johnny has become part of me.
And was there an outstanding or memorable moment you’d care to share?
The birth of my daughter Grace Van Dien was one of the coolest moments I had while filming. The day before she was born, I was in the water tank getting my leg “fixed,” so I felt like Luke Skywalker. The next day, Grace was born.
The day after she was born, I was back in the Tank, and Harrison Ford walked on the set because Vic Armstrong was shooting the scene on the Second unit, and he had been Harrison’s Stunt Double for Indiana Jones. So that was pretty epic.
With the game being set in the same universe as the films, where do you see Johnny going after the game?
I look forward to where the game is going to take Johnny Rico. The ideas that Offworld has shared with me that I am not allowed to share yet, but I can tell you… it’s awesome.
Do you think this opens the door for a live-action Starship Troopers 4 (or a TV show), which everyone so desperately wants, for the record?
I would love to make a live-action Starship Troopers TV Show. I would sign up for it in a heartbeat. I would want it to be done in conjunction with Starship Troopers: Extermination because they really get it.
How do you feel about the comparisons the game gets to Helldivers 2 when your universe is the basis for Arrowhead’s live-service shooter?
I love all the games like Starship Troopers: Extermination. Helldivers 2 is a cool tribute. But I am, as you stated, the FACE of Starship Troopers. And now… Finally… Because of Starship Troopers: Extermination I have what I always wanted.
The chances of a crossover are pretty minimal, but how would you feel about that, given the opportunity?
I am too busy fighting the bug menace right now. I am from the Starship Troopers Federation, and I say join me, General J Rico, and let’s Kill some Bugs! Come on, All you Apes, You wanna live forever?
The opportunity for Easter Eggs and nods is almost endless. Are there any in the single-player campaign that you asked for them to put in, or even ones you noticed and were shocked they included?
The game designers are huge fans of Starship Troopers and they have put so many nods to all the films. I spoke with almost all of them one-on-one, and they asked me questions, and I told them things that happened on set and behind the scenes and many of them said they would add what I said to the game. So they are the real deal. They respect gamers because they are gamers and they are also huge fans of the film. That makes it a win-win for all of us that want this game.
Are there ‘deeper cut’ characters that we wouldn’t expect?
I would love that, but at this point, I don’t know of any other existing characters planned for the game.
Starship Troopers was such a huge satirical and commentary-based film in the 90s, which still holds up to this day for many reasons. How does the video game measure up with the same satirical commentary on society today?
I think everyone who is a fan of the films will see the humor and feel what it is like to be in the movie. The people that I have played online with really got it. Everyone is playing with the enthusiasm of the troopers in the film.
How has Johnny changed from the guy who enlisted for a woman to the man he is in the campaign?
Johnny is older and wiser. He is a seasoned warrior. The best of the best. He will always get the job done. But he also has a better understanding of what the higher-ups are asking for. His Troopers mean more to him. The people making this game really honored Johnny’s arc.
Do you think the game will become as big a part of pop culture as that of the film?
I think the game has all the potential in the world. The gamers will love it. I love it!
How does Starship Troopers: Extermination recreate the iconic parts of the universe? Specifically the guns and bugs.
They will have all the bugs from all 5 films eventually. Right now some are enhanced and they have yet to add so many more. There are so many weapons, skins, and different characters. 16-person shooter working together like we did in the film. It is epic.
In your opinion, how does this differentiate itself from the likes of Helldivers 2 specifically, and if they [players] had to make a choice, why should they choose this over that?
In Starship Troopers: Extermination, we care about each and every Trooper. We work together and try to make it back together. There’s no one left behind. Except it is Starship Troopers so Troopers will die. But their death always means something to their fellow troopers. We also have Carnage which is pretty awesome. Having to deal with all the dead bugs…
What does the future hold for yourself, and the Starship Troopers franchise?
I hopefully will be tied to this amazing game for its entirety. And hopefully, a series will finally come to fruition one day.
Is there anything you’d like to tell our readers, be it about the game, the films, other work of yours, or just about you in general?
Starship Troopers: Extermination comes out on PlayStation 5, XBOX, and PC on Oct 11th. Join Now! Service Guarantees Citizenship!
Lastly, are there any good bugs?
The Only Good Bug is a Dead Bug!
