Summary
TheBioShockmovie gets a new update from producer Roy Lee during a panel atSan Diego Comic-Con. The firstBioShockvideo game was released in 2007, introducing players to the underwater city of Rapture and the envisioned utopia that turned into a violent nightmare. The game was a massive hit and was followed by two sequels, and aBioShockmoviefrom director Francis Lawrence was announced in February 2022, but few updates have emerged since.
During a recent appearance at SDCC forCollider’s Producers on Producers panel, Lee reveals that theBioShockmovie is still happening, but it’s undergone some changes. After a change in leadership at Netflix, which resulted in reduced spending across the board, the producer reveals that the film adaptation is being “reconfigured” to be made at a reduced budget. Check out his full comment below:
“It was originally done with the previous regime, and the new regime has lowered the budgets on some things, so we’re doing a much a smaller version of the movie. But it’s eventually going to get made with Frances Lawrence directing.
“It’s gonna be on a more personal point of viewas opposed to a grander, big, epic movie.”
Is BioShock’s Latest Update Actually Good News?
Bigger Budgets Don’t Always Result In Better Films
Over the past few years, before the changes in leadership at Netflix, the streamer was not averse to spending exorbitant amounts on movies. Some of these movies, like Martin Scorsese’sThe Irishman, were very good, but a number of other Netflix movies have proven the obvious fact that more money doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality.Movies likeRed NoticeandThe Gray Mancost upwards of $200 million each, but both are underwhelming with tired stories and moments of lackluster CGI.
Red Noticehas only a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score, whileThe Gray Manhas 45%.
While it’s not clear whatBioShock’s original budget was and what it’s now been reduced to, it could end up being a positive thing that the film becomes smaller, more focused, and more personal. Instead of relying on effects and spectacle,theBioShockmovie will hopefully be putting more focus on telling a powerful story. These budgetary limitations will hopefully result in a film that features compelling characters and a rich exploration of key themes from the original games.
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On the other hand,reducing the budget also runs the risk of not being able to properly capture the world of Rapture. The city from the games is vast, and the world of the franchise is one filled with unique enemies and sci-fi elements, and less money could mean that audiences see a little less of this world brought to life. Even thoughBioShock’s budget has been reduced, the movie is thankfully still moving forward, and hopefully its smaller scale results in a more character-driven and compelling experience.
