BioShock Movie Director Promises Adaptation Will Be True to Games

Video games do not have a good history when it comes to the silver screen. Movies based on games tend to flop for a variety of reasons, and it is because of this history that Francis Lawrence, the director behind the Netflix adaptation of BioShock attempts to reassure fans that his adaptation of the critically acclaimed and beloved game will not be like other video game adaptations.

 

Lawrence, in an interview with Collider, shared his thoughts about the adaptation and why he thinks this particular adaptation will not be the kind of failure that’s usually seen when anyone tries to make a game movie. Firstly, he has Michael Green, the writer of Blade Runner 2049, working away at the script, and he has shown himself to be capable, but more than that, he states:

“A lot of games may have a great world of some kind, or they may have a great lead character, or they may tee you up for great set-pieces, but they don't really have the ideas, they don't have the kind of weight and the gravitas that BioShock does.”

Basically, most games have some great hook that makes them great as games, but it also means that they won’t work as movies. A movie needs to have a lot more story for it to work, and if BioShock has anything, it’s story. He goes on to talk about how BioShock has a lot to say and how it blends genres, like being a period piece, body horror, and a sci-fi story, so it will make for a great adaptation with a fantastic aesthetic.

In addition, he has been in talks with Take-Two, the publisher of the games, and Ken Levine, the director/writer of the games. This means that, at the very least, he has some of the people who worked on the games at his back to ensure that he doesn’t screw it up. All of this indicates that Lawrence understands what is at stake in adapting something like BioShock, so hopefully he does put the passion in that will be needed to pull off a proper BioShock adaptation once and for all.

Justin van Huyssteen (@LC_Lupus)
Senior Editor, NoobFeed