Starship Troopers’ Casper Van Dien Reacts to Helldivers 2: ‘I Feel Like I’m Already Part of It’

Starship Troopers actor Casper Van Dien has offered his thoughts on Sony’s PC and PlayStation 5 hit Helldivers 2, and he has some thoughts about those capes.

The actor, who played the gun-toting Johnny Rico in the original movie, Starship Troopers 3: Marauder, and Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars, worked with Gamology to take a closer look at Arrowhead Game Studios’ co-op sci-fi shooter. The Helldivers series takes clear inspiration from Starship Troopers, so it was no surprise to see Van Dien calling out some of its many references.

“I see all of it,” he explained. “I see the way the guys talk, and what they say. I see the bugs and everything. It is such a tribute to Starship Troopers. It’s really quite wonderful.”

Starship Troopers features a lot of recognizable qualities, but more than anything, fans know the franchise for the swarms of bugs that form the Arachnid Empire. Helldivers 2 essentially offers fans a mirror version of that world, with its version of bugs, the Terminids, also coming in different shapes and sizes as they swarm players. With similar helmets, guns, dialogue, and even tone, Helldivers is basically a walking, talking Starship Troopers love letter.

Van Dien latched onto the love for his sci-fi ‘90s flick immediately. However, he’s got one issue with the way the Helldivers choose to spread liberty.

“That cape…it’s cool, but…,” Van Dien said. “Helldivers looks just like being out there in the thing. They’re throwing capes in, which probably would’ve gotten on my nerves. It’s almost like they have the flags on them, so that’s kind of cool I guess.”

Elsewhere in the video, Van Dien is asked if he would ever be interested in joining Helldivers 2 in some capacity. Though he was a bit hesitant, it sounds like the fight for Super Earth would come naturally for him.

“Of course, I love the idea of Helldivers 2. I think General Brasch looks great. I think…you never know what could happen,” he said. “I’m open to see what happens. I already feel like I’m already a part of it.”

He continued: “You never know, if Helldivers or Starship Troopers: Extermination came, I’d be very interested in it. It’s something I think is cool. I’m very particular to my Starship, you know that. I love being Johnny Rico, but the General looks pretty cool in this one. I’m not going to lie.”

Van Dien enjoyed his time with Helldivers 2 and we did, too. In our review, we gave the Starship Troopers love letter a 9/10. At the time, we said, “Helldivers 2’s combat feels fantastic, its missions stay fresh and interesting, and its smart progression system doesn’t nickel and dime you.”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.