Is Gore Verbinski Off BioShock?

A few months back, news hit that the film adaptation of the video-game BioShock (under the direction of Pirates of the Caribbean helmer Gore Verbinski) had been delayed due to budget concerns. Even with that, all of the key principles swore up and down the project was not dead and would see the light of day. Honestly from then on, I've been of the opinion that it was only a matter of time before it ultimately fell apart or Verbinski would simply walk away.

And now it appears that it might be a case of the latter. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times recently, Verbinski explained:

The bottom line is it has to shoot out of the States for budget reasons and my schedule may be prohibitive. 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.

At least, Verbinski is being more direct than Bryan Singer has been lately with the "Will he or won't he?" regarding directing the next Superman film. That itself of course is doubtful.

I'll tell you what I don't doubt while we're on the subject. A studio is going to nabb down Verbinski to direct one of their blockbuster tentpoles (whether it's a sequel to a pre-existing franchise or starting a brand-new one) ASAP.