Halo Movie Latest – Studios Pull Financing
But Microsoft and Peter Jackson steam ahead regardless
News seeping out of Hollywood over the weekend is that the major Halo blockbuster movie, due summer 2008, is still on schedule, despite Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox backing out of financing the production.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the two major studios had cut their ties to Halo because of the costs of the movie, which had a preliminary budget of $145 million.
Microsoft immediately issued a statement, noting that, “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 disappointed that Universal wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal…We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the 'Halo' brand."
An update on Halo developer, Bungie’s, website confirms and clarifies the situation, simply stating, “Universal and Fox wanted to renegotiate the Halo movie deal at the 11th hour and Microsoft and its partners, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh refused….The reality here at Bungie towers 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.”
Bungie teasingly adds, “Hopefully … we can share excellent news with you in the next few weeks.”
SPOnG will be keeping our beady eye on Halo movie news and we will be sure to bring you an update as soon as we get it.
Halo 3 (pictured here) is due out sometime in 2007. Make it faster Bungie! SPOnG just can't wait much longer.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the two major studios had cut their ties to Halo because of the costs of the movie, which had a preliminary budget of $145 million.
Microsoft immediately issued a statement, noting that, “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 disappointed that Universal wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal…We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the 'Halo' brand."
An update on Halo developer, Bungie’s, website confirms and clarifies the situation, simply stating, “Universal and Fox wanted to renegotiate the Halo movie deal at the 11th hour and Microsoft and its partners, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh refused….The reality here at Bungie towers 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.”
Bungie teasingly adds, “Hopefully … we can share excellent news with you in the next few weeks.”
SPOnG will be keeping our beady eye on Halo movie news and we will be sure to bring you an update as soon as we get it.
Halo 3 (pictured here) is due out sometime in 2007. Make it faster Bungie! SPOnG just can't wait much longer.
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Comments
RiseFromYourGrave 23 Oct 2006 13:42
1/5
even though im no big halo fan, i am actually really looking forward to this.. it seems like the best shot at a faithful game-to-film adaptation theres been in a long time, with the people behind it really trying to remain uncompromisingly faithful to the source material, and faithful to their prenuptial profit dividing too ;)
Joji 23 Oct 2006 14:05
2/5
I'm looking forward to it too. I do feel that film studios are sometimes doing games a diservice by not creating cool enough films from source material. I reckon this is because they see games as battling for their customers bucks and by making crap games based films they can turn people from games to films more.
Silent Hill, FF:AC and SF2 Anime flick are the best examples of what can be done in my opinion. A good Halo film could trump them though.
Silent Hill, FF:AC and SF2 Anime flick are the best examples of what can be done in my opinion. A good Halo film could trump them though.
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PreciousRoi 23 Oct 2006 16:02
3/5
I detest Peter Jackson. I'm afraid he's gonna ruin this. Though I don't see how, I'm confident he'll find a way.
Zazigglebub 23 Oct 2006 17:57
4/5
PreciousRoi wrote:
I detest Peter Jackson. I'm afraid he's gonna ruin this. Though I don't see how, I'm confident he'll find a way.
Oh, how can you say that after what he did to King Kong? The man is a huge, hairy genius with lots of original ideas. He is not simply a superior logistics manager with the mighty power of obeying the nearest corporation. Next yule (ho-ho-ho) be saying that Stanley Kubrick was a shallow, lifeless, voyeur who sucked the life out of any script he came across.
PreciousRoi 23 Oct 2006 18:06
5/5
After seeing what he did to my beloved Lord of the Rings...Peter Jackson might as well be Jerry Bruckheimer as far as I'm concerned.
Kubrick made cinema. Jackson's made a few flicks.
Besides his logistical and corporate lackey skills, he apparently has the power to wrest lucrative IPs from those more deserving. Rooster Teeth Productions would do a far better job of this, and they're also far more worthy...given his logistical skills, he could be their Production Assistant or something...hell he can be Executive Producer as long as he doesn't get to touch anything or have any creative influence...the only descisions I want him making are those involving Craft Services.
My favorite moment involving anything Peter Jackson has done has to be Gollum's appearance on the MTV Movie awards.
Given half a chance, and a large stick, I'd beat him senseless, while screaming "You're Not Even Supposed To Be Here!" over and over again until his vision was permenantly impaired.
Kubrick made cinema. Jackson's made a few flicks.
Besides his logistical and corporate lackey skills, he apparently has the power to wrest lucrative IPs from those more deserving. Rooster Teeth Productions would do a far better job of this, and they're also far more worthy...given his logistical skills, he could be their Production Assistant or something...hell he can be Executive Producer as long as he doesn't get to touch anything or have any creative influence...the only descisions I want him making are those involving Craft Services.
My favorite moment involving anything Peter Jackson has done has to be Gollum's appearance on the MTV Movie awards.
Gollum wrote:
PETER JACKSON IS A F**KING HACK!
I would love to have the uncenscored version of that...hell I'd make it my ringtone...Given half a chance, and a large stick, I'd beat him senseless, while screaming "You're Not Even Supposed To Be Here!" over and over again until his vision was permenantly impaired.