Bioshock Movie Was "Literally 8 Weeks" From Shooting

"It's devastating."

By Joe Skrebels

Gore Verbinski's lost Bioshock movie adaptation was "literally eight weeks" from shooting before it was abandoned.

Speaking on the IGN UK Podcast, Verbinski explained that the film had taken shape in pre-production, and that he had a clear vision for how it would turn out:

"What's interesting is when you get that close to shooting a movie, you've kind of made it. That's the danger - you've kind of made it in your head.

"It's one thing when your movie doesn't happen [...] but when you go literally eight weeks before you start shooting, it's devastating."

Bioshock creator Ken Levine had previously said that the project "had a deal in place and a director", but made no mention of how close to full production the project appears to have gotten.

The director of Pirates of the Caribbean and A Cure for Wellness explained that "there's all kinds of crazy stuff" that still exists from the film's early stages, including screen tests for the characters. We have previously only seen leaked concept art, which revealed a familiar Rapture setting.

Where that crazy stuff actually is right now might be the harder question - when asked about whether the project could be resurrected, Verbinski replied:

"I have no idea where it is now, and who owns it, and where it went, and how much is against it. So I don't- maybe! Maybe."

Once again, Verbinski put the final decision down to production companies' unwillingness to fund a big-budget R-rated movie:

"Everyone wants to protect their IP - it started to smell a little funky. It started out great, but it's not so much the owners of the underlying property as... that's an expensive proposition, that's a big tapestry - and R-rated. I think at that time there had been some R-rated, expensive movies that hadn't worked, so yeah, it's a shame."

It originally looked as though a Bioshock movie would emerge around seven years ago, but after switching director from Verbinski to 28 Weeks Later helmsman, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, it appears to have been put on indefinite hold.

Bioshock owner, Take-Two recently announced that it has "licensed a couple of titles" for movie adaptations, but it's not clear if that includes a new take on Bioshock.

Verbinski's A Cure For Wellness starring Dane DeHann and Jason Isaacs is in cinemas now.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's UK News Editor, and he wants to play a Splicer real bad. Follow him on Twitter.

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