HALO!
Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, the creative duo behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the upcoming King Kong, have boarded Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox's big-screen version of the video game Halo as executive producers. At the same time, outgoing Universal heads of production Mary Parent and Scott Stuber have joined Peter Schlessel on the project as producers. Jackson and Walsh will offer creative input on all aspects of the film via their WingNut Films banner, and Jackson's Weta Digital Ltd. and Weta Workshop Ltd. will provide creatures, miniatures and visual effects for the production. The duo's involvement marks the first time that they have gotten creatively involved on a film that Jackson is not directing. No director has yet been chosen for the film, for which Alex Garland is writing the screenplay.[/b]
Time for a reunion of the writer and director of 28 Days Later...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20051005/tc_zd/161716
Peter Jackson To Oversee "Halo" Movie
Patrick Klepek
Who knew? The rumors are actually somewhat true. Acclaimed (and fanboy loved) director Peter Jackson and collaborator Fran Walsh are tapped to executive produce the upcoming Halo adaptation from Univeral Studios and 20th Century Fox. Mary Parent and Scott Stuber will act as producers alongside Peter Schlessel.
No, that doesn't mean Jackson will be directing, but with creative minds like this at the helm, you can be assured Uwe Boll and Paul W.S. Anderson are far, far away. Halo's been dealt the real deal with it comes to Hollywood filmmaking, and I don't think anyone will blame me when I respond to this news with a resounding: holy s***. Someone's finally taking videogame movies seriously.
"As a gaming fan, I'm excited to bring Halo's premise, action and settings to the screen with all the specificity and reality today's technology can provide," said Jackson. "Fran and I are intrigued by the unique challenges this project offers, and we're delighted to be working again with our friends at Universal, and with our new ones at Fox and Microsoft. I'm a huge fan of the game and look forward to helping it come alive on the cinema screen."
Halo Helmer Rumor
Game adaptation may get a director soon.
Sources tell IGN FilmForce that Guillermo Del Toro is in the running for the directing job on the Halo movie. While we haven't been able to verify the legitimacy of these claims, similar rumors began swirling at the King Kong press junket in New York this week where Halo producer Peter Jackson is on hand to discuss his forthcoming big-ape blockbuster.
Del Toro's directing credits include the comic-based flicks Hellboy and Blade II. He is currently in post-production on the Spanish-language film El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) and has been attached to direct a sequel to Hellboy -- if Del Toro lands the Halo gig, it could mean a delay for the latter which is now in pre-production.
The Halo movie, which is being produced by Universal and 20th Century Fox, is tentatively set to start principle photography in Wellington, New Zealand this May, with a blowout blockbuster release projected in Summer 2007.
The script for the adaptation was penned by 28 Days scribe Alex Garland.
whoever gets this gig better do it right b/c halo fans are hardcore:
http://thatvideosite.com/view/1139.html
Quote from: pyramid machine on December 04, 2005, 07:46:42 PM
whoever gets this gig better do it right b/c halo fans are hardcore:
http://thatvideosite.com/view/1139.html
That shit isn't lying. I live in a dorm composed of just guys. We're the only dorm on campus on probation with the police because of the excess amount of alcohol confiscated and the normal happenings of guys screaming at each other in the middle of the night. Our student RA quit because he couldn't take it anymore so other RA's run to our house to see what the fight is about only to discover its just guys playing Halo. My roommate not only plays Halo all day long everyday, but gets drunk doing so.
Quote from: pyramid machine on December 04, 2005, 07:46:42 PM
whoever gets this gig better do it right b/c halo fans are hardcore:
http://thatvideosite.com/view/1139.html
hahahaha. it makes sense that GT would live with this dude.
Del Toro Talks Halo
Director discusses game adaptation.
Since late last week rumors have been buzzing about filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy, Blade II) possibly being up for the directing job on Halo. Talk of Del Toro's potential involvement in the highly anticipated project peaked at the recent King Kong press junket in New York where Halo producer Peter Jackson was present discussing his forthcoming big-ape blockbuster.
The crew over at Empire caught up with Del Toro and managed to quiz him on the subject. Guillermo confirmed that he has been in talks regarding Halo, but it sounds like the filmmaker is planning to keep his word and make the sequel to Hellboy next. "The ideal for me would be to do Hellboy 2," he says, "and if Halo doesn't go away, then yeah, I'd love to do both. But it may go to somebody else. We'll see." So, that clears that up... or does it?
Del Toro is currently in post-production on the Spanish-language film El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth). If pre-production on Hellboy 2 continues according to plan -- script finalization and budget talks with the studio are the primary concerns right now -- then the film could ramp up very soon and give Del Toro plenty of time to work on Halo.
The Halo movie, which is being produced by Universal and 20th Century Fox, is tentatively set to start principle photography in Wellington, New Zealand this May, with a blowout blockbuster release projected in Summer 2007. The script for the adaptation was penned by 28 Days scribe Alex Garland.
Could this be it?
A Video Game movie that won't suck. So far I'm really happy with the names that have been attached to the project. It is no secret that I'm a big fan of the games, and I think a Halo movie could be fun.
Although, in my head Starship Troopers is a Halo movie.
Game on for Blomkamp with 'Halo'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Commercial and music director Neill Blomkamp has nabbed the job of directing "Halo," Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox's big-screen adaptation of the video game series.
The games follow a character named Master Chief and his companion Cortana as they try to save the galaxy from alien forces called the Flood. Halo refers to an artificial ringworld that actually is a weapon capable of destroying the galaxy. Alex Garland ("28 Days Later") wrote the screenplay.
South Africa-born and Vancouver-based Blomkamp is known for his commercials that feature robots and a dose of urban grittiness. His eye-popping commercial for Citroen, which featured a car that transformed into a hip-hop dancing robot, won three Clio Awards. He also directed "Alive in Joburg," a documentary-style short about aliens trying to live in the slums of Johannesburg.
Blomkamp began his career as a 3-D animator and was nominated for an Emmy as part of the visual effects team for James Cameron's TV series "Dark Angel." "Halo" will be his first feature.
Mary Parent, Scott Stuber and Peter Schlessel are producing, while Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are executive producing.
Jackson saw some of Blomkamp's work and flew him to New Zealand for a meeting. One of the aspects that attracted Blomkamp to "Halo" was a chance to play in the Weta sandbox, as Jackson's company is providing creatures, miniatures and visual effects for the production.
Universal will distribute domestically, and Fox will handle foreign territories. The movie is eyeing a 2008 release.
His short films are pretty awesome, in a lot of ways. I couldn't care less about Halo, but I've been wanting to see this guy do a feature for a while, so now I'm sorta interested.
Blomkamp on Halo
Helmer talks vid game movie.
Hot on the heels of the news that Neill Blomkamp would be making his feature filmmaking debut on the big-screen version of the hit videogame Halo comes the first interview with the director about the movie. Here's a taste:
"From a purely game playing perspective, I am a massive fan of the games, but more importantly, I'm a massive fan of the world and universe of Halo, the science fiction world that the games take place inside of," Blomkamp tells Ain't It Cool News.
Fans of the game are already concerned that the movie might be tempted to stray too far from its roots. Blomkamp addressed such concerns, saying, "I think you can be faithful to the game and just begin to layer things that have not yet been seen, over the fabric of what exists. You don't want people who know the game to see the film and not have anything that isn't new."
Another thing that Halo fans are concerned about is the character of Master Chief and how different he might be in the film version.
"Master Chief is certainly something that I do not want to change too much at all, there are certain things inside the Halo universe that are sacred and he's the main one," the director insisted. But he cautioned, "Having said that, there is a need to revise certain parts of him, just from a purely technical standpoint, he has to actually be able to move, like a human, and the game design right now does not allow for full motion freedom, which we will have to achieve."
Some of his short films are here:
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/8127378.html#cutid1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6070934.stm
Studios 'pull financing for Halo'
Universal and Fox film studios have withdrawn financing from the planned movie based on popular video game Halo, reports US magazine Variety.
Rumours suggested the studios were concerned the budget could reach £200m, after an original projection of £135m.
The film-makers said the studios pulled out after they and Halo creators Microsoft refused to reduce their deals on the project.
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is an executive producer.
Super-soldier
Ken Kamins, who represents Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh, said Microsoft was in talks with other distribution partners.
Preparation work on the film is reportedly continuing at Jackson's and Walsh's Weta production facilities in New Zealand.
The Halo script is by The Beach and 28 Days Later... screenwriter Alex Garland, and due to be directed by first-time feature film-maker Neill Blomkamp.
The video game has a complex mix of mythology, characters and worlds and follows the adventures of futuristic super-soldier Master Chief as he fights to save mankind from an alien race.
It has sold in excess of five million copies around the world since its 2001 release. A sequel followed in 2004, with a third game due out next year.
Microsoft Comments on the Halo Movie
Source: ComingSoon
"Halo" franchise creator Bungie posted an official statement from Microsoft about the news that Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox have backed out of co-financing the big screen adaptation:
"We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal. But 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. 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."
Bungie adds that at the company there "is a feeling of optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons we can't go into. Frankly we're interested in making the best movie, and it's possible that a partner who's more concerned with numbers, might not be the best partner for what's more vitally a creative process. Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process. Actually, when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little."
Halo Movie Officially Halted
Source: WingNut Films
After Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox backed out of co-financing the Halo movie, it was reported that prep work would continue at Jackson's Weta studios in New Zealand. But now, Jackson and Microsoft's WingNut Films has released the following statement saying that production has halted:
As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement. At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen. We are fully supportive of Director Neill Blomkamp's vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait.
The script, originally written by Alex Garland and rewritten by D.B. Weiss, was to have gotten another rewrite by A History of Violence scribe Josh Olson. The movie was previously targeted for a summer 2008 release.
'Halo' Won't Shine
Although Microsoft's Wingnut Films and director Peter Jackson's Weta studios had said that they would continue pre-production work on Halo, a movie based on the video game, after Universal and 20th Century Fox backed out of co-financing it, Jackson and Microsoft announced today (Tuesday) that they had changed their minds and were shutting down the film -- at least temporarily. In a statement, they said that they had agreed to wait until backing was in place that would enable them to "fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen." They nevertheless held out hope that the film would eventually be made. "While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait," they said.
Halo Declared Dead
Director says movie is not happening.
Filmmaker Neill Blomkamp had been slated to direct Fox-Universal's feature film version of the videogame sensation Halo but the project infamously fell apart last year. Still, there had been rumblings that Halo could still fight its way onto the big screen. It seems, however, that even Blomkamp has given up hope for the Halo movie.
"The film is entirely dead. In the configuration it was in. Whatever happens with that movie, assuming that movie gets made, will be a totally different configuration," Blomkamp informed Creativity-Online.com. "It's not so much me as the entire vessel sank. Basically, it was a combination of; there were two studios involved that weren't getting along in the process of making it, Universal and Fox. That kind of stuff happens, it's a fragile industry. So the film collapsed at the end of last year, and it's been dead, ever since then. I'll be curious to see what happens."
Blomkamp made a trilogy of live-action Halo short films to help promote the release of the Halo 3 game but they were not, contrary to fans' hopes, meant to rekindle interest in the movie. "There was not even one percent of my mind in doing those short pieces to try and resurrect the film. And I think maybe that's because I'm closer to the film, I know how hard it fell, and I know that doing things like that was not how you're going to get it back on its feet," Blomkamp explained.
But Blomkamp didn't shut the door on Halo entirely, saying, "As I'm getting older one of the things I've realized most about this industry is never say never. That's the first thing. Right now, I can't see myself doing that film. But I'm not going to say that I'm not going to do it. So in the present moment, right now, I could take it or leave it. It doesn't matter to me anymore. There's too much interesting shit out there. The film has the capacity, if things line up correctly, to be, I think, really cool. But it ended up collapsing, and things happen for a reason."
Steven Spielberg Hot For 'Halo: Fall Of Reach' Script From 'G.I Joe' Writer Stuart Beattie
Source: MTV
Rumors are ugly, vicious beasts. They raise our hopes with wild speculation, hopes which are all too frequently dashed beneath the cold, harsh light of reality. Still, a brother can dream, right? Remember when, a couple weeks back, I started frothing at the mouth over a spec script that "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" writer Stuart Beattie had written for "Halo: Fall of Reach"? Well there have been some developments, it seems.
For those who don't know, writing something like a script on "spec" means that you're doing it on your own time and with no certainty of actually selling the thing. In Beattie's case, he's a dedicated gamer who sees a lot of potential in the "Halo" franchise. Hollywood is rife with gamers these days, but few are higher-profile than "Boom Blox" producer and blockbuster originator Steven Spielberg. As this rumored luck should have it, Spielberg read Beattie's script and was "blown away" by it.
"Halo" was previously in the hands of Peter Jackson, who was going to produce the video game adaptation with newcomer Neill Blomkamp at the helm. Despite Blomkamp's months of prep work, "Halo" fell apart for a variety of reasons. Not that anyone should be complaining, as the loss of that project pushed Blomkamp and Jackson into next week's surefire summer favorite, "District 9."
The rumor comes to us via IESB, who cite an unnamed source. Spielberg and Beattie are both repped by Creative Artists Agency, so there's already an easy connection. The site reportedly triple-checked the information with "studio executives" and "close ties to CAA," so the info certainly seems legit. Especially since Beattie and Spielberg appear to be kindred spirits on the interactive entertainment front.
All I'm saying is that this had better be accurate. As a lover of the blockbuster in all of its terrible glory, Spielberg is a bit of an icon to me. It was enough to know that he was dipping his hands into gaming via a partnership with Electronic Arts, the collaboration that gave us "Boom Blox." This "Halo" thing though... wow. Let's just hope he zips through "Harvey" quickly enough that he'll be free to direct it. That's a "Halo" movie I want to see.
MS Gives Halo Movie Update
Microsoft addresses the Spielberg rumor.
by IGN Staff
Microsoft has tossed a bucket of cold water on gamers and fanboys who were excited by this past weekend's news that Oscar winner Steven Spielberg was interested in producing the long-awaited feature film version of Halo.
In a statement to Kotaku, Microsoft said of the Spielberg rumor, "We're glad there's still a lot of enthusiasm in the entertainment industry surrounding the idea of a Halo movie. That said, the Halo feature film remains on hold as we focus on projects like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach."
Microsoft later added that it had "nothing further to share with respect to plans regarding a Halo movie." Of course, that's exactly what the company would and should say on the record if a filmmaker such as Spielberg was in the midst of making a deal for the movie.
It must be noted that Spielberg was reportedly taken with the Halo: The Fall of Reach spec script that Stuart Beattie had penned, something done independent of Microsoft.
'Halo' Movie Could Happen with DreamWorks -- Steven Spielberg to Direct?
By Monika Bartyzel, Cinematical
To be, or not to be, that is the question.
Perhaps Shakespeare isn't the most likely person to quote when talking about the popular video game series 'Halo', but the sentiment sure fits here. For years, the billion-dollar video game phenomenon has flirted with the idea of a big-budgeted Hollywood movie. 'District 9' helmer Neil Blomkamp was supposed to direct at one point, with Peter Jackson producing, but that incarnation was halted. No matter how hard they tried, studios like Fox and Universal (with help and guidance from Microsoft) just couldn't piece together the right product. And while the games continue to thrive -- with the latest pulling in $200 million on its first day of sales -- the possible big-screen adaptation has become a big money-suck.
Now the long-struggling feature adaptation might be finding new life, but it's not with Fox and Universal. Instead, as previously rumored, DreamWorks is eager to grab the rights and shine a green light on a project that's been years in the making.
According to Vulture, DreamWorks is looking to use the novelizations of the game -- what Vulture calls "the literary equivalent of Purina PuppyChow" -- to get started, thereby avoiding some legal issues surrounding the game's previous adaptation efforts. It's been a long road of potential thorns.
Five years ago, the idea first came to life with Alex Garland getting a million dollars to pen a script when no studio was signed to the film. The script was shopped to studios, and most studios -- including DreamWorks -- passed. But then Fox and Universal decided to partner up on the project -- a plan that was doomed from the start. The pricey Peter Jackson came on as producer, Neil Blomkamp was tapped to direct (before 'District 9' hit), and then money became too much of a problem to ignore, with Microsoft and Jackson already grabbing big percentages of the film's gross before it was even made. No one wanted to back down and ease the price tag, lawsuits descended and the project was dead.
If dead, why is DreamWorks being tricky with its source material? Well, Universal lost millions in the end, and the thought is: If DW doesn't use the books, the other studio might seek some sort of reparations for their lost costs. But this is where something else comes into play: No names are yet attached to the plan, and the studio also has to tread carefully with Microsoft, who is quite protective of their game -- they don't want a crappy movie hurting the franchise's future. And this is where Steven Spielberg comes in.
Could the icon possibly direct the film? Having the man behind 'Indiana Jonest and 'Jaws'' should certainly ease any worries Microsoft might have. While it might seem like a stretch when you think about the many crappy video game adaptations out there, the bones of the project should at least put it on par with 'Hook,' 'Jurassic Park' or 'War of the Worlds.' Plus, from what we've been hearing, after he's done with War Horse, Spielberg will be looking to take on a big sci-fi project. And if it's his name as director that will get this thing moving, there's a chance we'll see a Spielberg-helmed Halo movie hitting theaters by 2013.
What is Jurassic park doing in the same bracket as War of the Worlds?
Get it out of that bracket!