BioShock To The Big Screen

[w00ties]

BioShock Going To The Big Screen

Originally Posted by GameSpy

Gore Verbinski to Direct "BioShock"
Universal and Gore Verbinski will be bringing BioShock to the big screen.
By GameSpy Staff | May 9, 2008


Variety is reporting that Universal and Gore Verbinski have worked out a deal with 2K to bring the company's smash-hit BioShock to the big screen.

Verbinski is best known as the director of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, and was behind the famous commercial featuring a trio of frogs croaking the Budweiser brand name. He is set to direct and produce, while "Aviator" writer John Logan is reportedly in talks to pen the screenplay.

BioShock publisher Take-Two Interactive is reportedly receiving a multimillion-dollar advance against gross points on the film.

Take-Two Executive Chairman Strauss Zelnick said the "state of the art" deal is structured so that "BioShock" won't end up in turnaround like the cancelled "Halo" film, which is back with Microsoft.

"The reason I structured it the way I did is to make sure it gets made," he emphasized.

"I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong story that's cleverly unveiled to players is just brimming with cinematic potential," said Verbinski. "Of all the games I've played, this is one that I felt has a really strong narrative."

Ken Levine has been consulted on the project, but it's not yet clear if the game's designer will have a formal role in the film.

I say the story provides incredible potential, I just hope they dont screw it up like they have other game-to-movie projects.

[Edit] A bit more info...

The Escapist : News : Take-Two Signs BioShock Movie Deal (Thanks angrysasquatch )

Originally Posted by The Escapist

Take-Two Interactive is getting into the movie business with a big-screen adaptation of BioShock, with Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski at the helm.

Universal Studios has signed a deal that will see Take-Two receive a "multimillion-dollar" advance on the film, according to a Variety report, in what is thought to be the biggest videogame-movie deal since the 2005 deal between Universal, Fox and Microsoft for the movie adaptation of Halo. But Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick said the deal is structured to ensure the movie actually gets made, unlike the Halo project which is currently stuck in limbo.

Zelnick also put his experience as a past president of Fox to negotiate the deal directly, rather than use a producer. "One of the things we decided early on is that we didn't want to go through a producer," Zelnick said. "It's terribly important to us to have a meaningful influence on how this project is produced. We didn't want any insulation between us."

The script is being handled by John Logan, whose previous projects include Gladiator, The Last Samurai and The Aviator. Verbinski expressed particular enthusiasm for the game's potential as a movie adaptation, and said he hoped to begin preproduction on the movie as soon as the script is ready. "I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong story that's cleverly unveiled to players is just brimming with cinematic potential," he said. "Of all the games I've played, this is one that I felt has a really strong narrative."

Despite the strength of cinematic franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt , BioShock is Take-Two's first-ever movie deal. No release schedule has been announced, although it will be "almost certainly" sometime after the launch of the BioShock sequel, currently slated for 2009.

[angrysasquatch]

I can't think of anything 2k has screwed up. Too bad its coming out after Bioshock 2. Reading your source again, I notice it doesn't have that. The Escapist : News : Take-Two Signs BioShock Movie Deal

[w00ties]

Wow, thanks for that. I wonder if they'll include any bits from BioShock2 in the movie. Or will we have to play BioShock2 to get a better insight into the movie? Hmm...

[angrysasquatch]

There has been some murmur about a possible movie for some time. Last I heard, the story was going to basically be Bioshock 1. Which means it'll kick ass, there's a lot of other stuff they can put in a movie that wouldn't work in the game.

[Arisen Dragon]

This is great. I can't wait to see this thing.

[Lethal_NFS]

Bioshock; the movie. - Xbox 360 Forum