BioShock’s Movie Needs A Jack Replacement After Disappointing Netflix Update

Netflix’s BioShock movie has been quietly in development for years being announced in 2022, but one disappointing update means the film needs to replace Jack as the protagonist. Having released its first game in 2007, the BioShock franchise went on to become a massive success, with all three games turning into critically acclaimed hits. The unique world-building and environments helped BioShock stand out as one of the most unique gaming series out there, making a film inevitable. Unfortunately, while long-term fans will want several aspects of the games included in BioShock‘s movie, the project can’t utilize one key character.

Despite Jack being a huge part of the first game, one recent update means the movie can’t afford to feature him as the protagonist. Francis Lawrence – the film’s director – made the important decision to keep BioShock‘s movie accurate to the games’ lore and not break canon; however, it isn’t clear if the project will directly follow the first game’s story, meaning its plot is still unknown. Naturally, many fans of the franchise would expect Netflix’s adaptation to follow the narrative of the first BioShock game, but financial limitations mean the movie can’t afford to pursue this idea.

The BioShock Movie Has To Replace Jack As The Protagonist After Netflix’s Budget Cuts

Jack’s Silent Nature Won’t Work For Netflix’s More Personal BioShock Movie

With Netflix officially lowering the budget of the BioShock movie, the story will need a new protagonist. The budget cuts mean directly adapting the first game is no longer an option, as the stunning locations and distinct world were a massive part of the narrative. With the movie apparently going for a more personal story, it will be incredibly difficult to make this work with Jack in the leading role, considering he doesn’t speak. While the film could choose to give him dialog – unlike in the game – he would feel like an entirely different character.

Rather than having a fairly passive protagonist, the movie needs to go in a different direction and introduce someone more interesting. BioShock‘s movie can’t rely on the villains and supporting characters driving the plot, highlighting that someone with a bigger personality is needed to help propel the story forward. To capture a more personal tone, the movie will require someone with charisma or anxiety to make the story feel more emotional, rather than trying to rework Jack’s personality. Therefore, Netflix has to take some big risks with the adaptation to avoid it feeling like a cheaper imitation of Bioshock 1.

Jack Was An Amazing Protagonist For The Game, But Wouldn’t Work In A Movie

Jack Being Controlled By Other Characters Won’t Be As Effective In The Movie

Although Jack wouldn’t work in the movie, he was still an incredible protagonist for the game. Having a character who doesn’t speak, rarely expresses emotions, and isn’t visible to the player sounds completely unmemorable, yet he fits BioShock‘s story perfectly. Learning about Rapture and uncovering its secrets before finding out the big twist made Jack the perfect pawn for the game’s plot, as he was controlled and manipulated the entire time. His role in the story was masterfully explained and having him obey commands without question worked expertly from a gaming experience, but this can’t be replicated in the movie.

Following a protagonist who has infrequent interactions with other characters and doesn’t even speak would get very boring quickly, which is why someone different must lead the film. Taking time to admire Rapture and finding every Audio Log were great parts of the game that enhanced the experience, but in reality, this would be awful to watch from a movie point of view, especially given the budget cuts. The original game may be a masterpiece, but Netflix’s BioShock story will need someone new to take on the leading role, as Jack simply won’t work in a cinematic environment.

BioShock’s Budget Cuts Present A Massive Challenge For The Netflix Movie

Some Of The Franchise’s Best Aspects Will Have To Be Scaled Back Due To The Budget Cuts

Alongside potentially having to pivot the story, BioShock‘s budget cut presents plenty of other challenges to overcome. The environment is one of the franchise’s biggest selling points, and having to scale back on the underwater utopia of Rapture will heavily impact the film. BioShock was widely praised for its imaginative backdrop and one-of-a-kind world-building, but a limited budget will make it hard to make the movie’s city anywhere near as impressive. Likewise, some of the game’s other creative aspects will need proper investment to avoid looking unrealistic, which will be hard to achieve after Netflix’s announcement.

The genetically modified splicers, Big Daddies, and plasmids are all massive parts of BioShock‘s universe, but they are easy to get wrong. All the franchise’s unique gimmicks fit seamlessly into its animated video game world, but bringing this into live action is infinitely more difficult, meaning they could be executed poorly if the budget doesn’t allow the film to go all out with its design. Given how important visuals are to BioShock, having to work with financial restrictions will be a massive challenge for the movie to overcome, and could limit which enemies and locations appear in the final project.