Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie
Universal Pictures has signed Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy helmer Gore Verbinski to direct and produce an adaptation of the popular video game BioShock. Aviator screenwriter John Logan is in talks to pen the script. Logan’s filmography also includes Any Given Sunday, Gladiator, The Last Samurai and Sweeney Todd.
Take-Two Interactive is getting a multimillion-dollar advance against gross points on the film. It is believed to be the biggest video game-to-movie deal since the infamous aborted Halo movie deal between Universal and Fox, for which Microsoft got $5 million against 10%. The BioShock deal is structured in a way ensuring the movie won’t end up in turnaround. Verbinski plans to start pre-production as soon as Logan’s script is finished and approved.
Since it’s release in August, Hollywood has eyeing a big screen adaptation of this popular first-person shooter. Praised for its morality-based storyline, immersive environment and Ayn Rand-inspired dystopian setting, the game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and ranks as the thirteenth best video game on Game Rankings. Set in an alternative history 1960, BioShock follows the story of a plane crash survivor named Jack, who must explore the underwater Objectivist-dystopian city of Rapture, and survive attacks by the mutated beings and mechanical drones that populate it. Jack is drawn into a power struggle during which he discovers that his will is not as free as he’d thought. I have also included the trailer for the video game below, so that you can get a better idea of what the game is about.
Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro recently praised the game:
“I love BIOSHOCK from a design point of view,” said del Toro. “The BIOSHOCK universe is indeed wonderful.”
The visuals are certainly cinematic enough for a big budget film, and critics have praised the game for it’s story, something not common in the video game field. Verbinski noted that Rapture’s art deco design and visually arresting characters attracted him to the project.
“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.
source: Variety
Guillermo del Toro Doesn’t Rule Out BioShock Movie
Just to give you an update, Guillermo del Toro is not yet officially attached to The Hobbit. Recently the director provided this update on his message board:
“There has been a lot of movement. And for the last few weeks there has been a lot of creative / cast / crew / visual talks and agreements and we have witnessed great progress in areas,” said del Toro. “I have to be patient and wait until the papers are done and my attachment is real. Nevertheless- a LOT of progress in defining the films, their cast and crew. And, may I add, we are all happily in synch about all creative aspects so far and all willing and eager to move forth.”
Guillermo also discussed the possibility of helming a video game adaptation. Since it’s release in August, rumor has it that Hollywood is eyeing a big screen adaptation of BioShock, the popular first-person shooter from 2K Games. The visuals are certainly cinematic enough for a big budget film, and critics have praised the game for it’s story, something not common in the video game field. But would del Toro be interested in making a Bioshock movie?
“I love BIOSHOCK from a design point of view,” says del Toro. “But Unless its a HELLBOY sequel I am not that eager to engage in another action-oriented movie. Even if the other elements are right. BUT… if I found the right pitch on the material, who knows - the BIOSHOCK universe is indeed wonderful.”
Guillermo was almost attached to the Halo film a couple years ago.
“I actually flew to [New Zealand] for HALO,” revealed del Toro. “I had design meetings at WETA, we talked about concepts and parameters etc and came very close to doing it- very close - But it was not meant to be. [Hellboy II] was part of the reason I didnt do it - There’s great movie to be made, read the novels… Check out the added Mythos in HALO3.”
As you probably know, Neill Blomkamp was brought onto the film as director, and the project fell into development hell. I think many gamers would agree, del Toro would make the perfect director for a Bioshock movie. And while Guillermo clearly isn’t interested in future action/adventure films outside of the Hellboy franchise, he seems to be open to hearing a pitch. So Hollywood, let’s make this happen!
Roger Avary to make Return to Castle Wolfenstein Movie
Many of you might not remember this but, before Quake, Before Doom, there was Wolfenstein 3D - considered to be the first first person shooter video gameof all time. It’s even more popular sequel, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, was released in November 2001. And now Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary is set to write and direct a feature film adaptation.
The game is based on Castle Wewelsburg, a 17th century castle occupied by the Germans under Heinrich Himmler’s control, and used for occult rituals and practices. The game begins in Nazi-occupied Europe during 1943 and revolves around U.S. Army Ranger B.J. Blazkowicz, who, along with another agent, is sent to investigate rumors surrounding one of Heinrich Himmler’s personal projects, the SS Paranormal Division. The agents are, however, captured before completing their mission and are imprisoned in Castle Wolfenstein. Blazkowicz must escape the castle and continue investigating the activities of the SS Paranormal Division, which include research on resurrecting corpses, bio-technology, and secret weapons.
While Return to Castle Woldenstein is technically a sequel, without the name and the occasional in-game references, it might be unrecognizable as a part of the series.
There are not many video game properties that have the potential to be made into an entertaining movie, but this may be one of them. And Roger Avary is a geek an academy award winning writer in his own right. In addition to co-writing the upcoming Robert Zemeckis computer animated Beowulf with Neil Gaiman, Avary was also behind The Rules of Attraction and Killing Zoe, two very underrated indie films which you should probably add to your Netflix list. Oh yeah, and he helped scribble out a little film titled Pulp Fiction.