Uwe Boll to direct… just kidding. They have an actual talent behind the project, Mr Gore Verbinski, the man responsible for the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and The Ring.
Verbinski is reportedly very excited about BioShock, he says it’s ”just brimming with cinematic potential”.
”Of all the games I’ve played, this is one that I felt has a really strong narrative,” said Verbinski. ”I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong story that’s cleverly unveiled to players is just brimming with cinematic potential.”
Screenwriter John Keegan is in talks to produce the script; his previous works include Gladiator, The Aviator and the recent Sweeney Todd. Verbinski has been in talks with BioShock’s creative director, Ken Levine, to help with the transition but it’s unclear if he’ll be on staff.
Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two chairman, was behind the talks with Universal. ”One of the things we decided early on is that we didn’t want to go through a producer. 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,” he said.
I’m sure many would remember the talk of a Halo movie back in 2005 which has since turned to nothing. Zelnick is keen to say that won’t be happening with BioShock and things will move ahead, not fade away. ”The reason I structured it the way I did is to make sure it gets made,” he added.
Rapture brought to the cinema masses; I bet 2K didn’t think that would be happening in this lifetime. Who honestly could resist the charm of a Big Daddy? A sequel to BioShock is already in development and is expected sometime next year in the fall.
