Variety reports Universal Pictures has thrown some cold water on the BioShock movie, saying the film tie-in with 2K Games' underwater shooter that was to be directed by Gore Verbinski is on hold. Word is some of the production staff has been let go as they work on figuring out how to trim the project's budget, which has grown to the $160 million range. The story does repeatedly stress how all parties involved are determined to work through these obstacles and make a BioShock movie a reality.