Guillermo del Toro Says BioShock Film Talks Were Disastrous
Guillermo del Toro confirmed he took a few calls about directing a BioShock movie, describing them as some of the most disastrous conversations he has had. He also said he would not adapt a video game in the future and would avoid working on games again, aside from possibly lending his likeness to a Hideo Kojima project. A separate BioShock film is in development at Netflix with Francis Lawrence attached to direct.
Del Toro said he fielded a small number of calls about directing a BioShock adaptation, but the conversations went badly and he characterized them as fraught. He ruled out future game adaptations and game work, with a possible exception: letting a Hideo Kojima project use his likeness. His prior game collaborations, Insane and Silent Hills, never shipped.
Netflix's separate BioShock film was announced in 2022, with Francis Lawrence directing and Michael Green writing. An earlier attempt followed the 2007 game's release; Gore Verbinski was attached, wanted an R rating, and planned to incorporate both endings before budget issues ended it.
Del Toro's remarks may reinforce skepticism among fans about long-gestating game adaptations, while giving Netflix's BioShock project extra scrutiny. If that film eventually reaches audiences, its reception could shape studio confidence in similarly ambitious adaptations and influence which creators are approached. For game developers and filmmakers, the comments may also highlight how difficult creative alignment can be when adapting interactive stories, potentially making some talent more cautious about such partnerships.