News
October 31st, 2006 | Digg This
Well, given the previous statements concerning the movie’s continued progress this is most definitely a shot to the gut. The official statement via Peter Jackson and Microsoft’s WingNut Films goes like this:
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.
Please note POSTPONED does NOT mean canceled. So many news articles claimed Game Over for the Halo movie, it’s not over, it’s an unfortunate set back.
AintitCool’s Quint also has a commentary on this predicament.
ComingSoon - Further coverage.
October 22nd, 2006 | Digg This
Direct from a Bungie announcement, Microsoft’s official statement:
“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 continues on to note a feeling of optimism, happiness and satisfaction - for reasons they cannot 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. [...] when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little.“
Looks like our courageous creative team are still working on churning out the best adaptation possible. The Halo movie is most definately not cancelled, as many other publications hastened to point out.
July 17th, 2006 | Digg This
News has been short of late. With Microsoft’s attempts to force this into cinemas as fast as humanly possible they must surely be disappointed at the rate the schedule is progressing. Or maybe they have re-evaluated and re-calculated the production times of both game and movie and may now opt for a release that is not simultaneous, or even within the same year. *shrug*
However, it seems Movies Online has a brief update concerning the status of the script. They categorically state that Alex Garland, the acclaimed British writer, is no longer providing the drafts for the adaptation, but D.B. Weiss is instead on his second. How good is he? What has he written before? Who knows, his IMDB page is blank. Let’s hope he is not a patsy to the whims and wills of the megacorps. And that may be true if he did indeed only complete the game on Easy! 1Up also has a feature here: 1Up and of course the full interview is here GameSetWatch
Some other news you may have come across recently are the rumours that Denzel Washington is to be cast as Master Chief. Originating from Dark Horizons, to quote: “Halo: Latest rumours have Denzel Washington as the favourite for Master Chief.” That is all. This is nothing but rumour and likely entirely unsubstantiated. I’d personally see him as a Sarge. Following this internet flurry there was a quick and brief rebuttal which appeared on AICN stating: “Master Chief will not be removing his helmet at any point during the film. (…) Can you see Denzel Washington signing up for a film where he won’t be seen at any point?”
Peace Out.
February 9th, 2006 | Digg This
The official bungie.net website has confirmed that Mr. Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings and King Kong, made a trip to the Bungie studios to discuss ideas for the movie. He also kindly posed for a photo with the entire Bungie team.
December 9th, 2005 | Digg This
Guillermo Del Toro has confirmed in an interview with british movie magazine Empire that he has been having talks with Peter Jackson, Bungie and Universal. He states:
“Well, Halo is very much an interesting project because it’s so full of monsters,” he said. “It’s a big temptation. I’m in talks with them [Universal and Bungie Films] and Peter, but it’s not true that it’s on and Hellboy’s off. Hellboy’s on. If everything goes as planned, Hellboy will go.”
He goes on to discuss why he likes Halo, in very brief fashion:
“Most of the time games don’t have an universe or creatures that interest me enough. And this one does. Master Chief [Halo’s mysterious hero] is such an iconic character and it’s very much a sort of a good version of [Hellboy villain] Kroenen.”
My personal opinion is that this man would ruin the movie. Both Hellboy and Mimic were lackluster average films that started with great concepts and ended up as addled rubbish, despite stellar casts. That atrocious Paul W.S. Anderson fan boy fetishism just oozes from him. The sacrifice of storyline and arc development for poorly scripted and poorly executed CGI action-scenes is a trap just waiting for Halo. Del Toro will be right there to give it that final cattle prod of death. Del Toro, please stick to Hellboy 2 and move on.
December 4th, 2005 | Digg This
The third part of the journey has been posted. It details the fanciful visit to WETA studios and the resulting stupor after a quick browse. No new specifics or details concerning the Halo movie but it does maintain the slight confidence we must all be feeling now.
December 4th, 2005 | Digg This
Following much speculation, bungie.net have announced the latest team members to join them on the live action Halo movie adaptation. The Halo movie has already signed on the producers Mary Parent (Pleasantville, 40 Year Old Virgin) and Scott Stuber (The Skeleton Key); no real surprises or world renowned qualities observable here, although neither have been in the industry for long. They have since teamed up with Peter Schlessel (champion of SWAT, Charlie’s Angels 2 and Spider-man) and Bungie reports “[they have] accomplished unimaginably wonderful things”. One of these things is securing an Executive Producer, a highly respected movie pioneer - Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings, King Kong).
This deal also secures the spectacular visual effects team Weta Digital; masters behind Lord of the Rings and Gollum.
Bungie: “From fabricating Covenant weapons to building life-sized Forerunner structures to accomplishing shot after shot of complex live-action/CG integration – simply put, there’s no group of people we’d rather have realize the Halo universe on screen.”
Quoting producers Mary and Scott: “First, let me just say how honored and excited Scott and I are to be involved in this project. As huge fans of the game ourselves we know how high the bar is. We’ve made it our mission to try and involve the absolute very best people one can imagine in every capacity. Having developed a great relationship with Peter and Fran through the extraordinary Kong experience, and seeing first hand just how unique a filmmaking environment they have crafted, we approached them about the possibility of coming aboard to Exec Produce. Not surprisingly, they were already avid fans of the game, and given our existing shorthand, they said yes! To be able to continue our relationship with them – on HALO of all projects – is really a dream come true for us in the biggest possible way.”
See the VIDEO announcement: Game Trailers
Source: Bungie.net
