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Gore Verbinski Directing Scammed Rancher Movie Next?

by Alex Billington
January 14, 2009

Although we really wanted to see Gore Verbinski direct the BioShock movie, it's looking like he'll be taking on a drama about a rancher instead. Really? Universal has just acquired a script written by newcomer Michael Gilio (that recently showed up on the Black List) tentatively titled Black Hole about a retired rancher who responds to a phone solicitation swindle that wipes out his savings. While we all know that phone and email scams are a pressing problem in this nation, do they really take priority over the hotly anticipated adaptation of one of the greatest video games ever made? Apparently for Universal they do.

"The script taps into the shaken trust the public has toward once-trusted institutions and examines how the people behind these institutions are sometimes themselves as much victims of the same blind trust," said Blind Wink senior exec Jonathan Krauss, who'll be producing. I'm not really sure if this is that exciting of an idea, but considering it was on the Black List, maybe there's something more to it? Does it turn into a thriller where this guy goes on an angry vengance and hunts these scammers down? That's actually a story I'd love to see. I guess I just expect something bigger from the guy who made Pirates of the Caribbean.

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Rgr Dean

I know, I totally agree with you Alex! I mean, why is Universal doing this? This is so ridiculous!!!! I mean, WHY would they not want to go and do another video game adaptation!?!?! So ludicrous!
Mr. Wizard

Maybe Universal just saw every other video game movie fail and didn't want to take the risk. I think if a video game has a great story it should really just be left alone because its unique to the video game medium and i dont think it can translate very well to screen no matter how many times they try it. But I agree a Bioshock movie still sounds way more appealing than a movie about a rancher who gets swindled.
ScriptReader02273

I've read the script - and it's great. Yes, it's a revenge type thriller. He gets payback on these fuckers - BIGTIME!
Syphous

You know why video game adaptations are terrible? Because they think it's best to stray way, way, way away from the games original script. Why? Because Hollywood is, for the most part, fucking retarded. If they do a BioShock movie, and stick to the games original story, it would make for some amazing cinema. But that's just not going to happen, they'll change it to be about a hard-boiled cop who kills underwater communists. So, this is probably for the best.
Tyler

I doubt Universal is pulling the plug on the Bio Shock movie, I think Gore Verbinski probably wanted to do a smaller project before giving up 2 or more years of is life to another massive summer blockbuster- involving a lot of water again. Those projects, I imagine are very overwhelming. It is good for him as a director to keep his projects diverse. The story for Black Hole sounds very good. The reason all video game films are terrible is because they have never had enough talent or money behind them to be good. With the overwhelming success of comic book films we will see more and more great directors, writers, and producers involved in video game based films- and they will have enough money to not have terrible effects.
Blue Silver

Nothing to post regarding this article but to send my condolences to Ricardo Montalban's family. Thank you for your legacy! May you rest in peace. You will be missed! KKKAAAAAAAAAHHHN!
Darunia

What about Bioshock?
http://ckinfinite.blogspot.com/ CMK

Yes. How horrible that a talented filmmaker wants to take on an original movie script that isn't based on some other property...
http://movies.iconocritic.com/ peloquin

Would've much rathered Bioshock...maybe they'll change their minds?