Hollywood mined the works of the late science fiction maestro Robert A. Heinlein for decades. There was Donald Sutherland's The Puppet Masters (1994), then the campy Paul Verhoeven-esque Starship Troopers (1997), and the stylish Ethan Hawke-directed, Sarah Snook-directed Predestination (2014). Heinlein, who died in 1988, remains an influential force in the world of science fiction, with a new Starship Troopers Neill Blomkamp film also on the docket.
But now, a book that has never been adapted has an animated film in the works: the 1957 novel Citizen of the Galaxy .
The project is from prolific animation director Jay Oliva and his lex+otis banner. Oliva, a veteran of DC and Marvel's animated projects, will regret it after working on projects as diverse as Zack Snyder's Twilight Saga and creating storyboards for Dead Pool and Wonder Woman .
Luke Lieberman, known for Red Sonja comedy franchise, is writing the script. Ryan Silbert, who produced the Oscar-winning short God of Love , will produce, along with Oliva and Lieberman.
The novel was an interstellar-age action-adventure story that centers on Thorby, an orphaned boy auctioned off into slavery until a meeting with Baslim, The Mear, changes his life and sets him on a journey that will shape the fate of the galaxy.
“This is an inspiring career-full circle moment for me, having begun my animation career in the late 1990s on Roughnecks : The Starship Troopers Chronicles , which was based on one of Heinlein’s most famous stories,” said Oliva. “It’s a joy and an honor to return to these massively imaginative roots and bring one of Heinlein’s previously unproduced works to a medium that the entire planet can experience and enjoy.”
Vince Geraris and Matt Kennedy will executive produce for Surfing, Inc.
Luke Lieberman, Jay Oliva and Ryan Silbert
Andrew Werner; Gary Miereanu; Ryan Silbert
The script is already written, and the team is well into the film's visual development. It's now discussing the cast as it eyes a 2027 theatrical release.
“ Citizen is a book I’ve always wanted to adapt, so I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” Lieberman said. “Thorby has such a compelling character on his journey through the stars. He travels to all walks of life, spends a mile in many different shoes, against the biggest screen possible, and comes from Robert Heinlein’s wild imagination, filled with his wisdom and insights. This is a special story, and I can’t wait to share it with a whole new generation.”
