The movie was plenty creative, because Verhoeven didn’t even read the book.

The book was more of an commendary hiw trooppers are trained during the training camps and how the enemy is demonized. Also lots with right wing political messaging

The movie was satire about military focused society and how zelous the average trooppers can be and there are lots of references how soldier alienate them selfs from the enemy.

The games continue with the same satiric line on completelly new media. But its even more clear that the players are not the good guys and that the normal grunts are not seeing the whole picture. It also has commentary about how average human has no real value beond what they can do for the overlords benefit.

So far i think these stories have had enough of their own story and message to stand behind to justify their existence. Unlike some cash grabs like disneys live action versions of their older movies.

adaptationception. and adaption of an adaption of an adaption.

He’s going to have the helmet off 90% of the movie

I don’t think his acting style would work well as a lead for a tongue in cheek Starship Troopers style movie. As part of a four person ensemble where he isn’t the focus it could work, but to be honest any tall and beefy action movie actor is going to undermine the tongue in cheek themes of Helldivers and is a strong sign that the studio is going to take a star studded cast approach like they did with Borderlands and the result will most likely be the same.

If this was an announcement that included three other actors/actresses who would clearly balance things out, like the cast of Dune did, it wouldn’t be as concerning for me. Announcing a single person implies a leading role and he isn’t the right person for doing that in a Helldivers movie.