Hollywood has been trying to bring the iconic video game “Bioshock” to the big screen for a while now. The latest attempt is set to be directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Michael Green for Netflix. Development was temporarily halted due to the WGA strike, but now that the strike is over, Michael Green has provided an exciting update on the “Bioshock” movie.
In a recent interview with Collider, Michael Green playfully teased, “You have to measure your words, or you’ll start to see a laser pointer at my forehead from the Netflix legal. Netflix has been amazing about it. They were excited about it before the strike, they’re excited about it now, post-strike. Yes, I got called, the ‘How’s it coming along?’ the minute the strike was over, ‘You about ready…?’ Been meeting regularly with Francis Lawrence and his team to refine a draft to go back in. We’re all optimistic. We all love it. It’s a great big sprawling nightmare world we wanna see real. So, here’s hoping. I would love to have an update for you soon.”
The first “Bioshock” game is set in 1960 and follows the protagonist Jack as he explores the underwater city of Rapture. The city was once a utopia but fell into decline after the discovery of ADAM, a genetic material that grants superhuman powers. Francis Lawrence, the director of the upcoming movie, expressed his admiration for the game’s unique visuals and thematic depth.
Lawrence stated, “I think it’s one of the best games ever created. It’s also, I think, one of the most visually unique games ever created. The other thing, and one of the things that always appeals to me, is it is very thematic. There are real ideas and philosophies underneath the game property, and it’s really, really, really thought out.”
He continued, “A lot of games may have a great world of some kind, or they may have a great lead character, or they may tee you up for great set-pieces, but they don’t really have the ideas, they don’t have the kind of weight and gravitas that ‘Bioshock’ does. The sort of combo of real ideas and philosophies mixed with the unbelievable aesthetic of it. Plus, one of the other things that I love, love, love is that sort of strange mashup of genre, the idea that you have what feels like a period piece, mixed with body horror, mixed with sci-fi. It’s one of those great mashups, and I think it can be really unique and really beautiful and really entertaining.”
The first “Bioshock” movie project was announced back in 2008 and was initially set to be directed by Gore Verbinski and written by John Logan. However, Verbinski eventually dropped out, and the project was put on hold.
It’s clear that both Michael Green and Francis Lawrence are passionate about bringing the world of “Bioshock” to life on the big screen. With Netflix’s support and their shared love for the game’s unique blend of themes and aesthetics, fans can be hopeful for a thrilling and visually stunning adaptation.
