The long-development BioShock movie has received an encouraging update from director Francis Lawrence, who says he feels “really good” about the project despite years of delays.
Lawrence told GamesRadar that the team is “still working on a script,” adding: “We’re pretty close. I’m feeling really good about it.”
The director expressed enthusiasm for bringing the game series to screen, saying: “Yeah, I would love to make it. I’ve been like dying to. I’ve been working at it. I’ve been trying.”
Hollywood is full of projects that generate excitement but never materialize, and Lawrence acknowledged this uncertainty while remaining hopeful about BioShock’s prospects.
A Decade in Development
The BioShock film has been in development for more than a decade. Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski was originally tapped to direct a theatrical release, pushing for a big-budget, R-rated version. The studio reportedly balked after Zach Snyder’s expensive Watchmen adaptation flopped.
reportedly balked after Zach Snyder’s expensive Watchmen adaptation flopped.
Netflix announced in 2022 that it had taken over the project, but a regime change at the streaming company led producer Roy Lee to say the film was scaled back to become a more “personal” movie.
scaled back to become a more “personal” film.
Timeline and Script
Lawrence had been busy with 2025’s The Long Walk and this December’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. With those films wrapped, Lee believes Lawrence could begin work on BioShock in 2027, though he acknowledged that plans may change.
Lawrence could begin work on BioShock in 2027.
Blade Runner 2049’s Michael Green and Terminator: Dark Fate’s Justin Rhodes are working on the script. No cast has been announced.
The Game Connection
Lee said Take-Two, owner of the BioShock franchise, is “very anxious to see the movie come out” because it plans to coincide with potential new game incarnations.
While Lee did not name specific games, Take-Two recently reiterated that BioShock 4 will release “some day.”
BioShock 4 will see the light of day … some day.
A remake of the original BioShock was reportedly in development but was canceled in 2025.
BioShock 4 Status
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick recently said the game is not dead and will come out “without question,” offering this assurance after reports that BioShock 4 was undergoing a partial overhaul to improve key areas.
BioShock 4 undergoing a partial overhaul
Developer Cloud Chamber also experienced layoffs, with studio head Kelley Gilmore departing and former Diablo boss Rod Fergusson taking over. Fergusson was previously called in years ago to serve as a “closer” for BioShock Infinite.
former Diablo boss Rod Fergusson taking over.
called in years ago to be a “closer” for BioShock Infinite
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