Halo movie in flux

Fox, Universal back out of Peter Jackson-produced adaptation of Bungie-developed game phenomenon.

In October 2005, the game industry was stunned when it was announced that Peter Jackson would executive-produce the film version of Halo. Many assumed that having the imprimatur of the writer-producer-director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy would assure that the Xbox shooter adaptation would buck the trend of game-based films being Uwe Boll-quality.

However, some financial concerns were raised in Hollywood when trade magazines reported that the price of the Halo script was $10 million and its budget would be at least $75 million. Adding to the witch's brew of doubts about the project were the hiring of novice director Neil Blomkamp and reports that Microsoft was demanding a hefty cut of the box-office proceeds. The film's original Alex Garland (28 Days Later)-penned script, which received rapturous buzz, was also reportedly rewritten by inexperienced screenwriter D.B. Weiss.

Despite the issues, the box-office allure of the Halo audience--which bought up nearly 15 million copies of Halo and Halo 2--was too much for Hollywood to resist. In June 2005, 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios announced they would cofinance Halo, which would be filmed in New Zealand. Effects would be provided by Jackson's Weta Workshop and Weta Digital effects houses, which provided the award-winning visuals for Rings and Universal's own King Kong.

Now, over a year later, it appears that Hollywood is having second thoughts about Halo. An assortment of news outlets, including Variety, report today that both Fox and Universal have decided to back out of the film, which was supposed to hit theaters next summer.

"While rumors had the studios concerned over a budget that was rising above the original projected $135 million price tag, the filmmakers said the double defection came after U[niversal] and Fox played hardball and unsuccessfully tried to get the filmmakers and Microsoft to reduce their profit participation," reported Variety. According to the trade, Halo's proposed budget had exceeded $200 million.

When contacted by GameSpot, a Microsoft rep confirmed that Universal had left the Halo project following a disagreement over financing and that the software giant was "disappointed." However, he could not confirm that Fox had dropped out, insisted the project would continue despite the setback, and underlined the fact that Jackson is still on board.

"The Halo franchise is hugely popular, and our goal remains the same--to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise," the rep said. "Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality. We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide."

793 Comments

  • timeforme23

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 2:59 am PT

    yeah i would have made a great movie but now there doing a sims movie wich will probaly will be a disarster

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Aug 15, 2008 8:03 pm PT

    I think that it would of been a good movie, i mean since Peter Jackson is directing it and all. I think that he would bring the entire thing together. It's really just a whole concern over financial issues and who would be the actors. I mean, since there looking at a 200 million dollar budget, they better have some pretty good actors in there. Or else it would be a good amount of money wasted...

  • webbbourne

    Posted Dec 31, 2007 8:47 am PT

    yesssssssssssss. finally ive been waiting

  • NICK_BOB

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 7:00 pm PT

    Just do it already! they need to make the movie as soon as they can while the halo flu is still going around. And the tie in game better be damn good

  • Shishio817

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 8:22 pm PT

    I really wish they'd make it and also reveal some more about this Peter Jackson Halo game.

  • somedude242

    Posted Sep 25, 2007 10:28 pm PT

    i seriously think they would make alot of money if they made this movie EVEN if it was **** because its HALO!!! like seriously i would go watch it just because it had something to do with halo and yeah...

    MAKE THE FRIGGAN MOVIE!!!

  • masterchief1994

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 2:40 pm PT

    man i want a HALO movie.

  • Teebown24

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 4:07 pm PT

    this movie would probably make more in one week than it took to make so i wish universal would grow some balls and make the movie.

  • Spartan0218

    Posted Sep 12, 2007 8:55 am PT

    why don't they just pull their heads out of their buts and put this movie together for us to enjoy.....i mean they're just losing money just letting it sit there in a box

  • Scotty678923

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 7:25 pm PT

    And hallywood can not aford to not finish it. Wen this comes out it will make so much money it will kick out titanic for to grosing movie

  • Scotty678923

    Posted Aug 29, 2007 7:23 pm PT

    Peter Jackson (after the lord of the rings moives turnd him in to a seroes film maker wich lord of the rings I love it so much) needs to make this movie so Fox dont let bunge down or you will hafe to say that to Bill Gates Just finsh the fuc"ing movie all ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • filthie

    Posted May 19, 2007 11:11 am PT

    make the movie pliiiiiiiiiiiiiiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • filthie

    Posted May 19, 2007 11:09 am PT

    i am so confused!!!!! are you gonna make this movie or what???
    i 'm so crazy about this movie!!! if peter jackson produces halo its gonna roooooooock!!!!!!!!! i believe everybody are thinking the same!

  • levdavid

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 7:42 am PT

    I think that this movie should DEFINITLY be made. I was hoping that Universal would make it though, they make really great movies. Im going crazy to see this movie.

  • Lightbarier

    Posted Mar 17, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    This isn't good if Holywood is not careful their going to end up with bullets in their stomics and with their heads not atached to their bodies if they don't meet the expextations of fans.

  • Mortel3-Pheonix

    Posted Feb 24, 2007 10:53 pm PT

    Microsoft are money whores. Goddamit, and the rep even tries to speak about having a "passion". if they were so "passionate" about getting the movie out, they wouldnt ask for such a hefty cut.

  • Lebbin

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 6:49 pm PT

    we can only wait and see how this movie is going to turn out, (if it is going to be made in the first place).

  • AFWorm

    Posted Jan 14, 2007 6:40 pm PT

    IMDB has the movie postponed as of now.

  • playdennis

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    WOW! They need to make the movie! ITS GONNA BE HUGE! It was like a dream for me to see a Halo movie!

  • mechkilla72

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 4:09 pm PT

    have any of you seen the trailer for this movie. its going to be good. ive read the books to. im pretty hardcore fan of halo and i would love to see this movie. hopefully they put as much work into the movie as they did the trailer. but ill still see the movie no matter what. they better not ruin the game. or spoil anything about the game that keeps you playing

  • Ryo-Hazuki

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 6:39 pm PT

    This movie will be big.

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 5:45 pm PT

    I agree with ninjoslot sadly. And Peter Jackson oh NO!
    I do not like his movies king kong was seriously over done! They are going to show master chiefs face and ruin the games too i heard. Look if you going to show his face save it for the games so we dont recognize the freaking actor ok? If the movie shows his face im NOT watching it! And i agree Stop making games movies and movies into games it just dosnt work game companies dont mix with hollywood and especially not bungie. Plz do not make this another crappy movie.
    P.S. im still not going to watch DOOM the movie it will ruin it for me.

  • janbir3

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:53 am PT

    I hope that the elits will be som Heavy Killer Alien!!!!!!

  • ninjoslot

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 3:58 am PT

    Movies of games should not be made.!!! if you want to watch the movie of a game, then you should play the game cos even the games cinematics blow away some "hollywood" stunts. for the love of gaming, stop making games into movies!!! and movies into games!!!!

  • sniper2o4

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 8:41 pm PT

    i hope they dont mess up the sniper rifle action or the gun or the whole purpose of a sniper like most movies do. infiltrate covertly, strike, and haul ass out o' there!

  • Kill-U

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 2:11 pm PT

    I just hope that they don't screw up the characters in the movie.

  • G-Ninja

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 1:56 am PT

    seems like Peter Jackson and Fox doesnt want to do it on their own...

  • neo5387

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 3:10 pm PT

    God i cant wait for this to come out. It better be good too. I mean when they came out with Final Fantasy: Spirts with In it sucked badly. I mean heck weve seen some pretty good movie shots from the games progressing and hitting a new system. Im really hoping they will make this movie an unforgetable one.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 5:53 pm PT

    I'm not surprised. Everything now is about making a big profit

  • delirious152000

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 5:51 pm PT

    personally in my own opinion as long as halo movie gets made...and who ever makes it...and its done correctly....i will see it as many times as i can

  • primeds

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    it best be good cuz the game sure is

  • Vd803

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 12:11 pm PT

    unlike the other noobs on this that post their stuff ive read the books and played the games and universal is stupid to back out of the movie after already spending 2 million i mean they should continue the project cause every true halo fan knows they would go see the movie like 3 times

  • SeraphimRequiem

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:09 am PT

    I hope this movie fails miserably.

  • rynmls

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:37 pm PT

    hope it will not be a trash movie...

  • knives0666

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 9:04 am PT

    it prob wont be based on the games
    as much as it would be on the books
    i never read the books and i don't really care for the game
    but i would really like to see the movie do good
    seeing as it would be a big boost for the 360

  • krumble

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 5:44 am PT

    Not enough there to make a movie of but its a mediocre game. I still play it until the PC version comes out.

  • ad_double_agent

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 3:32 pm PT

    halo the movie will rock the world there like 2mil halo fans and i think all of them will g see this movie

  • lVlarley420FL

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 9:08 am PT

    Looks like this movie is gonna flop like all the other video game movies. wow what a surprise.

  • Grinny

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 2:25 am PT

    Put Universal and Fox together and everyone who doesn't play/know Halo will watch the movie anyway. Advertisment giants.

    I have full faith in Peter Jackson will produce and epic, well presented and enjoyable movie.

  • ChaosAvenger

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 2:01 am PT

    Why does Microsoft even need these people to cofinance a movie, aren't they themselves made of money?

  • keg38671

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 5:09 pm PT

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! I Can't Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • hotdork70minus1

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 9:47 am PT

    This is a good thing ! FOX didn't do this because of the material, they just wanted alot more money. Bungie want's this thing done right and despite this deal being axed, the movie is still being made and is already in progress.

    Check the link from tcampbell1976.

  • tcampbell1976

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 6:02 am PT

    AICN just posted this today that the Halo movie is still being made and that many other studios are still interested in picking it up...

    http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30487

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:50 pm PT

    if this is good.....ima go see it

  • umbaquaw

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:18 pm PT

    Halo 1 was great, but Halo 2 ruined everything....

  • robot_chicken32

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:50 pm PT

    n'ah it is unoriginal
    still i think it's an ok fps

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    If I may be allowed a low blow... it IS a phenominon that Halo is so popular, seeing as how it's completely unoriginal and derivative. Okay, rant over... flame away.

  • robot_chicken32

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:45 pm PT

    yea rumpke is right

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