Universal has put Gore Verbinski's big screen adaptation of the video game "Bioshock" on hold for budgetary reasons. HitFix Staff <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A little over two weeks after <a href="../articles/2009-4-8-gore-verbinski-says-no-to-pirates-4" target="_self">turning down</a> the fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, director Gore Verbinski's current gig is in peril.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.variety.com/VR1118002851.html" target="_self">Variety </a>reports that Universal Studios has but the big screen adaptation of the best-selling video game "Bioshock" on hold.<br /><br />Adapted by John Logan ("Gladiator"), the movie's expected storyline takes place in the underwater city Rapture, where a pilot crash lands and becomes involved in a power struggle.<br /><br />In pre-production, the picture's budget reached heights of $160 million.&nbsp; Considering the unfavorable results of most video game movies, something Universal previously experienced with the disappointing results or "Doom," that was enough to give the NBCUni division pause.&nbsp; Shooting was scheduled to begin in Los Angeles, but now the parties are considering London or other cities as a way to cut costs.<br /><br />Verbinski told the trade, "We were asked by Universal to move the film outside the U.S. to take advantage of a tax credit.&nbsp; We are evaluating whether this is something we want to do. In the meantime, the film is in a holding pattern."<br /><br />Sources tell the trade the situation is similar to what occurred with the Ridley Scott's current untitled Robin Hood picture starring Russell Crowe that was delayed until the studio found a storyline, budget and cast they were comfortable with.&nbsp; <br /><br />Intriguingly, all involved insist that "Bioshock" will not become another "Halo."&nbsp; That expected blockbuster came to a grinding halt after both Universal and 20th Century Fox freaked over an escalating budget and deal points with rights holder Microsoft.&nbsp; Considering how popular that franchise still is, it's curious to see if another studio will ever re-approach the software giant about a movie version of the X-Box title.&nbsp; <br /><br />In the meantime, Verbinski is continuing his work directing the Paramount animated film "Rango" which features the voice of his former "Pirates" leading man Johnny Depp.</p> movies 2009-04-26T08:11:53Z 484 Universal halts production on live action video game adaptation 2038-01-01T00:00:00Z false 806 false false false false false false false false false false 2009-4-26-verbinski-s-bioshock-may-be-dead 2009-04-26T04:05:00Z Verbinski's 'Bioshock' may be dead published Eastern Time (US & Canada) http://tinyurl.com/n7nrbo Verbinski's 'Bioshock' may be dead 2009-09-01T03:44:22Z false 5 8