The film adaptation of videogame BIOSHOCK has been brought to a halt according to VARIETY over budgetary issues.
The film had been in pre-production with Gore Verbinski directing. Some of the production staff was laid off until Universal, Take-Two Interactive and the filmmakers, which includes writer John Logan, can trim the hefty budget. Originally the film was to shoot in Los Angeles, but the $160 million gave Universal sticker shock and they balked. New locations like London are being scouted.
Game's plot is set in an underwater city called Rapture where a pilot crash lands and gets wrapped up in war.
Verbinski dropped out of helming a fourth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN flick to take on BIOSHOCK via his Blind Wink production house.
Universal is still determined to get this project in front cameras after securing the rights in a multimillion-dollar agreement with Take-Two.
Written by AWN managing editor Rick DeMott.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
