Bioshock creator Ken Levine and Take-Two Interactive are involved in the upcoming movie, which is apparently “very faithful” to the game.
During an interview with Collider, director Francis Lawrence explained how Netflix has given him free rein to approach the movie however he sees fit… and that means work together with the game creator.
“Basically, me and Cameron [MacConomy]who works with me, and Michael [Green] we’re getting to do what we want to, which is great,” he said. “A lot of it is staying really true to the game itself, and we’re talking to Take-Two [Interactive] and Ken Levine”.
Bioshock was originally released in 2007 and soon became a favorite of gamers all over the world. Known for its dystopian setting and retro-futuristic tone, it is widely considered one of the best games of all time… and the film director agrees.
“I think it’s one of the best games ever made,” he said. “It’s also, I think, one of the most visually unique games ever made. The other thing, and one of the things that always appeals to me, is that it’s very thematic. There are real ideas and philosophies behind the ownership of the game, and it’s very, very, very thought out. A lot of games can have a great world, or a great main character, or they can set you up for great settings, but they don’t really have the ideas, they don’t have the weight and gravity that Bioshock has. The kind of combination of ideas and real philosophies mixed with his incredible aesthetic.”
Although the original game was a first-person shooter, it was also a mix of different genres, with its retro-futuristic sci-fi setting providing the perfect backdrop for body horror.
Will the film capture it? That’s a bit more complicated…
“I don’t want to get too into it right now because it’s pretty early in the process, but I certainly haven’t felt stifled in any way, or sent in any direction with Netflix.”
The next Bioshock movie was officially announced earlier this year, even though different versions had been in development for many years before. In fact, Gore Verbinski’s planned Bioshock movie was only 8 weeks away from shooting before it was cancelled.
Check out why we think the Bioshock movie should be a prequel.