Producer Roy Lee has provided an update on the long-delayed BioShock movie adaptation at Netflix, indicating that director Francis Lawrence will likely tackle it after finishing post-production on a Hunger Games prequel. Netflix and rights holder Take-Two are eager to align the film's release with upcoming BioShock game developments. The project, first announced in 2022, has faced multiple setbacks including scheduling conflicts and industry strikes.
The BioShock movie adaptation has been in development for over a decade, with Netflix acquiring the rights in February 2022. Francis Lawrence, known for directing I Am Legend and Constantine, is attached to helm the project, with a screenplay by Michael Green. An earlier version had Gore Verbinski attached as director.
Progress has been hindered by various factors. Lawrence has been occupied with other films, including two Hunger Games prequels, The Long Walk, and potential sequels to I Am Legend and Constantine. Producer Roy Lee, speaking to Collider while promoting his film Psycho Killer, explained the delays: "We would have gotten it made a few years back, but then other movies got in the way, with one being The Long Walk and the other being The Hunger Games prequel, which comes out this December. We're just waiting for him to finish post-production, because he's going to be working on it through at least September, and then jump back into it."
Additional obstacles include the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, script revisions, and internal changes at Netflix. Despite these, the film remains in active development.
Lee also noted the strategic timing: "I know that Netflix and Take-Two are very anxious to see the movie come out because they want to have the release coincide with some of the potential new incarnations of the game." This refers to BioShock 4, which is under development at Cloud Chamber. Last year, Rod Fergusson, formerly of Gears of War and Diablo, joined the studio to rework and accelerate the project's troubled progress.
The BioShock series, launched by 2K in 2007, has sold over 39 million copies worldwide. It explores dystopian themes in settings like the underwater city of Rapture, blending sci-fi, horror, and action. A remake of the original BioShock was reportedly in development at 2K but ultimately canceled following a creative shakeup.