Jackson talks about Halo film
by Jennie Lees 
{ Sep 18th 2006 at 5:00PM }
Over at Ain't It Cool News, there's a lengthy interview with Peter Jackson, covering the director, script and visual effects for the upcoming Halo movie. Jackson's enthusiasm shines through, and it's clear he's aiming at something better than your average "video game movie":It is original and new and has not been seen before on the screen. It's not Ridley Scott, it's not James Cameron, it's not what we've seen before, but it's something new and fresh and it's cool.
The interviewer suggests the concept of an "adult" Halo movie; fortunately, there's an older interview with director Neill Blomkamp to take your mind off the thought.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlackYoshi @ Sep 18th 2006 5:30PM
I find it pretty hard that they could make a gritty war movie PG-13. Then you have to lessen the blood and violence, and war movies have plenty of that, and also the language, which movies and real war has. Aliens is probably the closest to what Halo is going for, and was a pretty hard R. As a Halo fan, I'm fairly excited for this, figuring that it could be the first worthy video game movie.
Scott @ Sep 18th 2006 5:28PM
Joystiq your source for old news
mykie @ Sep 18th 2006 5:39PM
I don't get it.
Why would the studio push for a movie, based on an M-Rated game to be PG-13? Ideally, the target audiences aren't even the same. I just don't see the reason for holding back.
I'm not saying Doom was a good movie, but it was rated R, since the games themselves are rated as such.
Zo K. @ Sep 18th 2006 5:40PM
I've gotten my hopes up too many times in the past. While I'm not a huge Halo fan, I do like the games, and hope the movie turns out well.
I'll just have to take a 'wait and see' approach, as always.
nalgae @ Sep 18th 2006 5:40PM
Think of how many 12 year olds you hear being racist on xbox live while playing Halo 2.
That is why this movie is PG-13.
PaleGringo @ Sep 18th 2006 5:53PM
Well met, BlackYoshi.
I thought I had heard from Bungie when this was first being talked about that *they* were shooting for an R-raiting... something to the tune of 'the "Saving Private Ryan" of video game movies.' This made sense, since the game is ESRB M-rated, and there shouldn't be too many kids going to see it.
Of course, with the screaming pre-pubescents on XBL, you'd never knwo that. *SIGH* :-
Anyhow, it's heartening to hear PJ tell it like it is, and I hope that he serves up a winner. If anybody can do it, he can.
Quick Trivia: "Tomb Raider" was the most successful video game-based movie released to date. Not that Angelina Jolie had ANYTHING to do with that...
Zo K. @ Sep 18th 2006 5:58PM
I'm sorry, but an MPAA "R" rating is NOT equal to an ESRB "M" rating.
How many bodies do you see being turned inside out in Halo? How many four letter words and how often? How much blood?
Personally, I'd say the violence in a game like Halo is comparible to the violence in any of the Bond films, the Lord of the Rings films, the Jurassic Park films, etc. You know what all those films were rated? PG-13, my friends. Not R.
Something like Doom, Quake, or Unreal, on the other hand, I'd liken more to maybe Evil Dead, Starship Troopers, or Hostel. All rated R.
The ratings systems are not meant to be equal. Unfortunately, in our culture, video games are still widely considered an adolescent hobby, so their ratings reflect that.
Dan R @ Sep 18th 2006 5:55PM
The movie is going to be rated PG-13 because that's usually considered the "sweet spot" for maximum profits. The highest grossing movies are consistently PG-13, as you lose out on part of your target audience by making a movie rated R.
Also, to #2: I'd say all three of Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies were "gritty war movies" and they contained a fair ammount of violence despite being rated PG-13, so I'm not too worried.
rockintom99 @ Sep 20th 2006 1:46AM
Based on the things this guy has made, I have very high hopes for the move. Just hope he can pull it off.
LordMinogue @ Sep 18th 2006 6:02PM
Even if the movie really truely sucks, this means that someone somewhere will be in posession of a real working Worthog!!!
I'm glad there spending so much time on the script. If the script is good and the special effects are good the movie will be ok even if the acting bites. If they get good effects, a good script, and good acting you'll have something LOTR on your hands!
Michael Hunter @ Sep 18th 2006 6:05PM
Quick! Get Angelina Jolie suited in the Master Chief armor!!
/It would sell
//I would watch
Babylonian @ Sep 19th 2006 1:01AM
PETER JACKSON: "He's a first time feature film director, but he understands film and grammar as good as anybody."
Thank you, Peter Jackson. More ironic words have never been spoken.
carg0 @ Sep 18th 2006 6:50PM
Look, until they actually announce signed actors (there better be at least 3 high caliber) and officially start shooting this is all just PR bullshit.
The word from Variety and Hollywood Reporter is that they're not even close to either, which means no earlier than 2008 if we're lucky. Couple this with the fact that it took them A YEAR to decide the script wasn't good enough before chucking it adds up to people who pretty much don't have a clue as to how to get this mega-IP off the ground properly.
So until we start getting some concrete news think of the movie like Halo 3: Don't hold your breath, busy yourself with other things.
Louis S. @ Sep 18th 2006 6:56PM
Anyone notice the mention of the pillar of autumn? That makes me think this either takes place during or before Halo 1, or is just a flashback...
Hamuel @ Sep 18th 2006 7:13PM
I really think a movie like this should be computer animated. How often does the main character (The Master Chief) take off his helmet or armor?
Aikinai @ Sep 18th 2006 7:59PM
Can anyone actually explain the point behind making a Halo movie? I enjoy the Halo games and I'm glad Peter Jackson is stepping up to make a videogame movie that doesn't suck, but really what does Halo have that's going to make a good movie? It already has the most generic plot you can get (human space military fights alien bugs) and sports a main character with the personality (and aerodynamics) of a brick. They're going to have to try to pull as much focus as possible off of Master Chief to make it interesting, but at least Cortana will be fun and Sarge will be hilarious.
makesevenupyours @ Sep 18th 2006 10:14PM
#14.
i will tell you the point of it...MONEY!! THEY WANT MONEY!!
ya...thats pretty much it...
and i think if they do it right, a lot of people will enjoy getting to see the halo universe in a live action movie. it should be really stunning and have a solid plot.
AND DONT YOU TALK SHIT ABOUT CHEIF!!
makesevenupyours @ Sep 18th 2006 10:14PM
#13...STFU!
BlackYoshi @ Sep 19th 2006 7:37AM
It already has the most generic plot you can get (human space military fights alien bugs)
Did you even play it? They fight aliens, but most of it is intelligent aliens that have a culture, a religion, and some sort of purpose. Both sides are fighting the Flood.
Also, said plot has been done well in a movie once in about 30 years: Aliens.
bladev1 @ Sep 19th 2006 2:28AM
I love Halo and am dying to see the movie and play the unkillable Halo3. But I think the movie should not focus on the Master, or even have him in it. It would be hard to try and capture what gamers love about him, plus the only way to have the Mater as the lead is it be a CG movie, and video game movies might suck, but video game CG movies suck harder, Im looking at you Final Fantasy. Instead focus on a main human character, and make the movie a prequel based on the novel "The Fall of Reach", staring The Rock and Dane Cook!!!!
Wilky @ Sep 24th 2006 3:59AM
Absolutey boring, drivel, paint drying stuff. This movie will end anybodies career who stars in it. Halo was only good because you could star in it. For example, would you enjoy halo if you sat and watched you mate complete it? Despite how much popcorn he feeds you?