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Verbinski Dropping BioShock, Luketic Directing Barbarella?

by Alex Billington
June 1, 2009
Source: LA Times

Two different directors, two different projects. First up, rumor is Gore Verbinski might be leaving the BioShock adaptation that Universal has in development. The director spoke with the LA Times recently and when asked about BioShock, admitted that with halt in production and Universal's desire to move the entire project outside of the US to cut costs, he isn't sure if he can, or wants, do it anymore. Separately, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that since Robert Rodriguez dropped off of the Barbarella remake, director Robert Luketic has stepped in and is supposedly developing it at an entirely different studio.

Back in April, Universal put the BioShock movie on hold because a skyrocketing budget. I always thought Verbinski was a perfect choice to direct the video game adaptation, as he has great experience and a great visual style. But now he's just not sure of the project anymore. "There's a great script and a really interesting cast. It really comes down to the financial model now. Big movies are just not being shot in the States. I'm weighing whether I can physically go the U.K. or Australia or one of those other places with a tax rebate for a year-and-a-half." This isn't official confirmation, but it's being touted as an "early warning sign."

Back in May, Rodriguez explained to MTV that his Barbarella remake was dead in the water because the only way he could get the funding he needed was to move the production to Germany, which he didn't want to do. However, word is that Legally Blonde and 21 director Rob Luketic is now working with Dino De Laurentiis' company (which owns the rights to the property) to develop the movie with a different studio (instead of Universal). "It will be a big intergalactic adventure with a sexy twist," EW's insider says. I liked having Rodriguez remaking this, but maybe Luketic can do a good job as well. We'll find out soon.

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cat

why would he drop it for those reasons? doesn't make sense to me. and i don't this director so I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing for the movie.
cat

meant to say i don't "know" the director or his previous work
nelson

he did the pirates of the Caribbean series
Eric

If Gore is dropping BioShock, maybe he'll change his mind and sign on for Pirates 4.
http://celluloidandcigaretteburns.blogspot.com/ Christopher M.

I just looked up director Robert Luketic's previous films and I'm wondering what Universal is thinking? this guy makes horrible chick flicks..so the direction of the film is going to end up being a dull non-violent PG-13 snooze fest rom-comedy..instead of the fun, sexy and violent action film Rodriguez would have made it...while it still would have been a disaster of a film like the original, Robert Rodriguez would have made it a fun ride....at the very least I hope they keep Robert's original vision for the film with Luketic only taking over directing duties...it could very easily become another Catwoman or Elektra if not...the best part of the comics and the first film was the sex in it, it was all apart of the sexual revolution of the 60's...if they tame it down to make it "cute" and easier to market to women it's going to end up a total mess
nelson

the ugly truth i rated r and that looks like a fun little flick i will give him the benefit of the doubt still a huge step down from Robert
Berry

Love how your title goes frop DROPS BIOSHOCk to may
edu

Tadam! http://avatargame.us.ubi.com/ There are some screenshots.
http://celluloidandcigaretteburns.blogspot.com/ Christopher M.

Nelson, I'm not going to give this guy a break until I see a trailer....I mean he's responsible for Win A Date With Tad Hamilton and Monster-In-Law..he's now directing another awful Ashton Kutcher film....Kutcher is an enigma, he's not funny or talented but still manages to make Hollywood money...I'd say that Demi Moore was helping his career but she lost hers years ago.. I'd like to think there is some chance Ugly Truth will be good...yet Katherine Heigl could ruin it since she doesn't a have a great track record post-Knocked Up...comparing The Ugly Truth to Barbarella isn't really fair...this guy hasn't handled a large scale action film or even anything genre related...I could have a totally different feeling if this director was brought on with Rodriquez as a producer...I'm just worried having Luketic direct could allow the studio to sabotage the original vision for the remake...allowing extensive PG friendly re-writes and set/costume changes..granted I love that Rose McGowan isn't starring...a newly redheaded Scarlett Johannson would make a better Barbarella...it's a wait and see thing, considering nobody except die hard sci-fi geeks like myself even care about a Barbarella remake...
http://vimeo.com/user1764245 Nick Sears

Awhhh Bummer! I thought Gore was perfect for that! I hope it pulls through! Damn Recession! Not surprising tho, production value SHOULD be through the roof for that story.
http://gmail.com PANASONNIC FANATIC

Gore Verbinski leaving the bioshock movie can mean one thing and one thing only, and the really really good thing is that, that has to mean he is leaving it to direct pirates of the caribbean 4, when they start with it's filming it in 2010/2011, before its theatrical release on may 25th, 2012 friday.