The journey to Rapture becomes reality: Netflix is adapting the first BioShock game, and fans can’t wait.
BioShock Movie On Netflix: Fans Can Finally Celebrate
There has been little news about Netflix’s upcoming BioShock movie for quite some time. But now, concrete details have emerged: The film will be based on the first BioShock game from 2007. This was confirmed by producer Roy Lee in an exclusive interview with The Direct. But when can fans expect the film to arrive?
BioShock Movie Based On The First Game
Ever since the announcement in 2022, fans have been hoping for a return to the dark underwater city of Rapture, the setting of the first game. However, it had not been officially confirmed until now. Many fans had speculated that the movie might tell an entirely new story within the BioShock universe. But now it’s clear: The film will go back to its roots. “It’s definitely going to be based on the first BioShock game,” Lee confirmed during the interview. However, Netflix is keeping further details under wraps.
Francis Lawrence To Direct
The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, known for his work on the Hunger Games films. He is currently working on his latest project, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set to release in November 2026. Only after that will production on BioShock begin. So it will still be a while before the BioShock movie hits the screen.
According to Lee, delays have been caused by script revisions and internal restructuring at Netflix, which have also affected the film’s budget.
A Challenging Adaptation
Turning BioShock into a film comes with several challenges. One major aspect of the game is the player’s sense of choice and manipulation, which is deeply embedded in the narrative. This element will be difficult to convey in a linear film format.
The visual setting of Rapture itself also presents high expectations. While video games can digitally create such a world, a film needs real sets, effects, and atmosphere that are both realistic and imaginative. However, successful game-to-TV adaptations like The Last of Us have proven that it is possible to bring complex game worlds to life in live action.
Return To Rapture
The confirmation that the film will be set in Rapture will surely excite many fans. The city, founded in the 1940s by industrialist Andrew Ryan as a “utopia without limits,” is one of the most iconic and stylistically memorable elements of the entire BioShock series. In both the game and the movie, the protagonist Jack crashes into the abandoned metropolis and uncovers its dark secrets.
Expectations are certainly high. However, with an experienced director, a strong screenwriter, and the beloved original material as the foundation, the BioShock film may finally achieve what many video game adaptations have failed to do so far: satisfy both fans and critics alike.