In February, Netflix announced it was working with game companies 2k and Take-Two to create a live-action Bioshock movie. After months with little update, it looks like the film finally has its director. According to a Deadline exclusive, Francis Lawrence will be directing the film.
Welcome to Rapture
Bioshock is a widely successful FPS game franchise set mainly in the dystopian underwater city of Rapture. In the first game, players take on the role of Jack, a young man who must journey through the treacherous underwater city using a substance called Adam to acquire powerful combat abilities. Jack battles unhinged citizens of Rapture while saving or harvesting genetically altered little girls called little sisters.
Bioshock was a hit with sequels Bioshock 2 and Bioshock Infinite releasing in 2010 and 2013, respectively. Rumors of a Bioshock film first began in 2008 with Universal set to produce, and Gore Verbinski was set to direct the movie. However, Universal officially canceled the project in 2017 over concerns about an R rating.
Lawrence is best known for directing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, parts 1 and 2. Lawrence is also currently directing The Hunger Games: Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel film that follows president Snow in his youth as he develops romantic feelings for a District 12 tribute, which debuts next year. Micheal Green will adapt the script, with Lawrence joining pre-production once his current film wraps.
Green is known for his work on Logan (2017) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). More recently, the screenwriter was involved in Disney’s The Jungle Cruise film as well as Death on The Nile
Upcoming Films Based on Video Games
Bioshock is far from the only successful game franchise to receive a film adaptation. Sony is developing a Gran Turismo film which it plans to release in August 2023. Likewise, PlayStation exclusive Days Gone, an open-world action title about motorcycle-riding zombie-killing Deacon St. John, is getting a film adaptation with Sheldon Turner set to write the script. Additionally, Sega and Picturestart are planning to develop movies based on 90s game titles, Space Channel 5 and Comix Zone.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
