The BioShock movie is still alive — the script is nearly ready, and filming could start in 2027

The BioShock adaptation for Netflix is still in development. Director Francis Lawrence says the team is close to finishing the script, and he still intends to direct the film based on 2K’s cult game himself.

“We’re still working on the script, and I think we’re pretty close. I’m very happy with what we’re getting,” Lawrence told GamesRadar. According to the director, he has wanted to take on BioShock for a long time and continues to push for production to start.

It’s still too early to say the film has officially been greenlit: it has no announced cast, start date or release date. But the latest statement is one of the most positive signals about the project’s status in recent times.

The story will be based on the first BioShock

Netflix announced the adaptation back in February 2022 together with 2K and Take-Two Interactive. Later, Francis Lawrence was set to direct, known for “Constantine,” “I Am Legend” and the Hunger Games films.

Michael Green, who worked on “Logan” and “Blade Runner 2049,” wrote the original script, but Justin Rhodes, one of the writers of “Terminator: Dark Fate” and Secret Level, later came on board to rework the text.

Producer Roy Lee confirmed in 2025 that the film will be based specifically on the first BioShock from 2007. That means a return to the underwater city of Rapture — Andrew Ryan’s ruined utopia, where experiments with ADAM and the struggle for power brought society to catastrophe.

The film’s scale had to be reduced

The concept changed noticeably over the years of development. In 2024, the producers said the project’s budget was cut after leadership changes at Netflix. Instead of a huge blockbuster, the creators began developing a smaller, more personal story.

Lawrence remained attached to the project, but his schedule slowed production. The director is currently busy with “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” and producer Roy Lee previously said that filming on BioShock is expected to be pushed to 2027.

So the film really hasn’t been canceled, but saying “BioShock will start filming soon” is still premature. At this stage, the main change is that the script is nearing completion, Lawrence remains the director, and production is tentatively planned to start after he finishes work on “The Hunger Games”.