Casper Van Dien, the renowned actor, has a story to tell about his time in the Starship Troopers franchise. With a film that has become a cult classic and sparked numerous discussions, Van Dien shares the details of filming one of its most infamous scenes.

Uncover the Secrets of Starship Troopers with Casper Van Dien

Filming the Infamous Shower Scene

When Casper Van Dien first read about the shower scene in Starship Troopers, he was understandably apprehensive. "Oh s—, no, I gotta do that scene. Oh my God, what am I gonna do?" he recalls. It took a grueling 11 hours to film, a long time indeed. Initially, he was really uncomfortable and nervous. But as time went by, he focused on doing the job right. "It was not the hardest scene to shoot, but it was definitely challenging," he admits.This scene, which has been widely discussed and dissected, saw Van Dien and other cast members strip down. It was a moment that left a lasting impression.

The Director's Unconventional Move

Adding to the intrigue, director Paul Verhoeven also dropped his pants on set. Van Dien recounts the moment. "Paul goes, ‘Are you ready to shoot?’ And Dina goes, ‘Well, if it’s so easy, Paul, why don’t you do it?’ And he dropped his pants. And I go, ‘Oh God.’" After that, cinematographer Jost Vacano, who used to live in nudist colonies, also followed suit. But when it was time to call action, Verhoeven "pulled up his pants. He goes, ‘Okay, let’s shoot.’ And I’m like, ‘Thanks a lot, Dina.’ She goes, ‘I had no idea he would do it.’"This unexpected event has become a part of the movie's lore.

The Impact of the Scene

When it comes to how the scene was received, Van Dien agrees that "usually people don’t talk about the subversiveness of it too much." He believes that most audiences missed the point of the movie when it first came out, thinking it was just an action film. But Verhoeven, known for his intelligent and thought-provoking movies, wanted to make something that would get people into discussion.Even after 28 years, Van Dien is okay with still talking about it. Since the initial film's release, he has reprised his role in various sequels and spin-offs, including Starship Troopers 3: Marauder and the animated installment. And the latest game in the series, Starship Troopers: Continuum, available on Meta Quest 2 and 3 as well as PlayStation VR2, has been a hit. "Killing bugs in VR world is amazing," he says.Looking back, Van Dien realizes that the first movie gave him his career. "It’s something that people always associate with me. I can’t go anywhere without people yelling quotes at me." For him, this movie has had a lasting impact on fans, resonating with them in a deep way.