Netflix Shares Updates on BioShock and Gears of War Movie Adaptations

Netflix is finally breaking the silence on two long-awaited video game movie adaptations: BioShock and Gears of War. Both projects have been stuck in development for years but are now showing signs of progress.

First up, let’s talk BioShock. Director Francis Lawrence—best known for The Hunger Games—recently sat down with IGN to discuss where things stand. In the May 15 interview, Lawrence admitted the project has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but things are starting to come together.

“It’s a tricky adaptation, so there’s lots of things to figure out and to get right,” he said.

According to Lawrence, changes in leadership at Netflix have caused the pace of development to speed up and slow down at different points. Still, he remains optimistic: “I think we’re in a pretty good place, honestly.” He also shared that he had just received a new draft of the script and was gearing up to meet with screenwriter Justin Rhodes to keep the momentum going.

Meanwhile, there's big news on the Gears of War front, too. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Netflix is in talks with David Leitch, the action director behind The Fall Guy and Bullet Train, to take the helm of the live-action movie. While Leitch hasn’t officially signed on yet, negotiations are underway—and if all goes well, his production company 87North will collaborate with The Coalition, the Xbox studio behind the Gears franchise.

The screenplay is being written by Jon Spaihts, who co-wrote Dune and is also working on the Minecraft movie.

Netflix has been making some serious moves in the gaming world lately—not just by adding games to its streaming platform, but also by investing in high-quality adaptations. The success of shows like Arcane (based on League of Legends) and Castlevania proved that the company knows how to bring gaming stories to life on screen. Upcoming series based on Devil May Cry and other IPs only reinforce that strategy.

Netflix first announced its Gears of War partnership back in November 2022, promising both a live-action film and an animated series. These projects are expected to tie into the game universe directly, making them a must-watch for long-time fans.

And it doesn’t stop there—The Coalition has a busy year ahead. The studio is set to release Gears of War: Reloaded, a full remaster of the 2006 classic, in August 2025. For the first time ever, the game will be available not just on Xbox Series X|S and PC, but also on PlayStation 5.

They’re also working on Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel that dives into the chaotic events of Emergence Day, when humanity first faced off against the terrifying Locust Horde.