Game over for Halo movie
Both Universal and Fox Studios have pulled out of the Halo movie adaptation, citing rising movie costs and concern over the inexperience of first time director Neil Blomkamp. As the budget was rumored to be edging closer to $200 million, and Microsoft getting a lion's share of the profits, the studio execs decided it was time to pull the plug.It's hard to argue with the logic on this one, based on the director alone. While Peter Jackson is executive producing, Neil Blomkamp doesn't have one feature film to his name, having only been a 3D animator on TV shows like Smallville and Stargate, and directed a Halo-ish short film entitled Alive in Joburg. If Jackson himself took the reins, it would probably be a no brainer, but you can easily understand Universal and Fox not wanting to roll a pair of $200 million dollar dice on someone their first time out of the gate.
Microsoft hasn't made things much easier, demanding an upfront fee of five million for the rights and 10% of the profits -- especially when movies based on video games have never been huge performers at the box office. This isn't to say the movie still couldn't get made. Jackson is still attached and pre-production continues on the film, although without a studio home it now faces a serious uphill battle.
According to Jackson's agent at International Creative Management, Ken Kamins, "What happened was this: Universal, on behalf of both studios, asked for a meeting with the filmmakers just prior to the due date of a significant payment. Basically, they said that in order to move forward with the film, the filmmakers had to significantly reduce their deals. They waited until the last minute to have this conversation. Peter and Fran, after speaking with their producing partners and with Microsoft and Bungee (the studio that designed the original game), respectfully declined."
Come on Variety, you can't even spell Bungie right?
What do you think? Should Master Chief drive his warthog out of Hollywood, or come back with both barrels blasting?
More Halo movie news on Joystiq:
So, you want to make a Halo movie?
Script for Halo movie leaked and reviewed?
Jackson talks about Halo film
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lefty @ Oct 20th 2006 4:14AM
they need to get the people who made the halo wars trailer and have them make that a full movie. now that was an awsome movie and what i was hoping the halo movie would be like. upsetting sure but i am sure it will eventually get made. unlike many iother game movies it has a cult following
Psaakyrn @ Oct 20th 2006 4:18AM
They better make it quick, before some other more questionable filmmaker gets it..
On a more serious note, I would still say the Halo movie has potential, but it might need a bit more fleshing out of the story background. But I do not think that MC should play a starring role, considering that Halo 3 is apparently his last game. Perhaps a newcomer to the scene, which will help transistion Halo 1-3 with the rest of the presumely complex Halo world?
FreQ @ Oct 20th 2006 4:19AM
Well I'm sure Uwe is interested....
btard @ Oct 20th 2006 4:22AM
Im not surprised. Peter Jackson not going to jump in the directors seat for this one so I say consider it dead. Ohh well. I cry on my PS3 come Nov.
KineticOnline @ Oct 20th 2006 4:39AM
Why dont MS just make the film themselves? They have the audio and video experts. All they need then is a distributer.
Denney @ Oct 20th 2006 4:51AM
Well as much i as would like to see a Halo movie i know how much game to movies suck so its good in a way too.
Crimemaster Gogo @ Oct 20th 2006 4:57AM
Not a big fan of Halo but still this news is disappointing. And the idea about M$ making the movie, they've lost so much money anyway so I dont think they can afford to do such a risky project especially if it doesn't deliver.
Coolnut @ Oct 20th 2006 5:05AM
You can thank schmucks like Uwe Boll for this, who give video game-based movies (and even video games) a very, very bad name.
James @ Oct 20th 2006 5:10AM
They should take it to Warner Bros. I'm sure they wouldn't mind being the distributors. Heck, take it to Columbia. That would be funny.
Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 5:15AM
Awww, too bad, was looking forward to this movie, so much for Sony being the "Money theives" huh?
Side tracking, its a real shame, I was starting to become convinced this would be pretty good, all to be utterly thrown out of the window.
Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 5:15AM
Is Joystiq sure of this news? I can't find details of it anywhere on the web :O
reppy @ Oct 20th 2006 5:28AM
Eh. I'll just go watch Starship Troopers or something.
(Seriously.. I can't imagine a Halo movie being any better than Starship Troopers.)
I also realize I'm probably going to get heavily flamed for that. But it's the truthiness of the matter.
Kevin @ Oct 20th 2006 5:30AM
#11 -- Try the "read" link at the bottom of the page, the image link, and the "According" link in the story, they all point to this Variety article - http://www.variety.com/VR1117952317.html
LaughingMan @ Oct 20th 2006 6:06AM
This isn't as easy as you think.
Microsoft was not going to finance the movie. They were expecting two studios to do it. Two studios because in this day and age movies are an extremely risky financial proposition and in Hollywood these days the perception and meme being pushed by studio execs this year is that talent costs have become too high, and they're playing hardball right back.
Jim Carrey has had two enormous features shut down, along with Ben Stiller - arguably two of the most bankable stars around. Tom Cruise - even before public nutbaggery displays - had to agree to concessions to get MI3 made.
For Universal, King Kong did not perform where expectations led it to, and on that one they gave Jackson free reign. And despite that cute public Hobbit image, Jackson is as nasty and downright dirty when it comes to looking after himself and his backend. I don't mean this as an insult.
Understandably in Hollywood, having Blokamp come aboard as director was a really bad choice. First time feature director getting their hands on a budget that large must've made the two studios balk, especially as Jackson couldn't get an A list director to do it. For all those rumors of Ridley Scott, let's face it - Halo wouldn't exist without Alien and Aliens (more so Aliens from an aesthetic point of view).
Funny to think, however, that seeing Aliens as a kid in theaters led to me working in films today. That was so long ago and I feel old. I wonder if I would've had the same epiphany being 12 years old, never having seen Aliens, and playing Halo and devoted myself to games.
Ever since Blokamp was announced I have been expecting this news. Risky, bold choice - but directors like him always have problems first time directing actors, and if major studios are going to shut down movies with the biggest stars around due to escalating costs, you can rest assured they'll do the same on a $200 million action picture with a first time director. This is a direct salvo to companies like Microsoft - don't bring us your IP and expect to gain so enormously from our financial risk.
Now let's see if MS have the balls to finance it themselves.
Paul @ Oct 20th 2006 6:22AM
"Microsoft is already in talks with other distribution partners and preparation for the movie will continue. Most of this development is at Peter Jackson's Weta effects studios in New Zealand, so delays should be small."
- http://halomovie.trivialbeing.net
Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 6:31AM
Is Microsoft financing? Its there movie, I think they should input.
Or are they just hoping that the movie studios will pay for it all while they sit back and take in all the cash that comes out of it.
My beleifs in the Halo movie are rather quickly dropping.
Tobias @ Oct 20th 2006 6:38AM
The only budget the filmmakers every spoke about was $145 million less the 12.5% rebate that you get from shooting in New Zealand, which would put it at about $128 million.
Rask @ Oct 20th 2006 6:47AM
Probably for the best.
While Halo games are fun to play, the Master Chief is weak character at best and the overall content of it IP probably wouldn't have translated well to screen anyways.
Rooster @ Oct 20th 2006 6:58AM
Honestly, I was psyched to see Neil Blomkamp do a feature length movie. The part I was never excited about, actually, was the Halo aspect.
Despite this, I still believe Blomkamp is/will be an amazing director. He seems to thrive on an extremely limited budget (at least what appears to be limited), and I would much rather watch something by him that is his own vision as opposed to someone elses concept that is interpreted by him.
Just make sure Neil Blomkamp doesnt get a budget over $25 dollars, and I am sure it will be amazing!
elmer @ Oct 20th 2006 6:59AM
YES!!!
Now maybe this means I won't have to wait a DECADE for the Evangelion movies.
Tex @ Oct 20th 2006 6:59AM
You Know If You People Actually Read The Article You Would Know That The Film Is not Dead. It Lost Two Studios. Peter And His Crew Still Have the Script And Are Working On The Movie. Movies Lose Studio Financing All The Time. If the Movie Was Meant To Come Out It Will. I Agree Microsoft Should Help, But They Are Just looking For Their Fair Share. Nowadays you Cant Expect Any One Company To Budget On A Film. The Good Movies Are All Budgeted Through Multiple Studios.
Sarmstrong @ Oct 20th 2006 7:10AM
Why not just get Uwe to direct it.
He has like 10 different Videogame movies under his belt.
Intangible 360 @ Oct 20th 2006 7:13AM
:(
Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 7:17AM
Tex...who said the Halo movie was completly over? I can understand the first few posts as not even they were to sure what was going on.
To be honest, I seriously doubt that even with the financing the Halo movie would have been as good as King Kong let alone LOTR, its not the sort of movie that can appeal to all audiences, LOTR was based off a book and therefore had a more stuctured storyline, just just eh "Defeat the aliens" cliche all over again.
The fact that Master Chief was to feature in it most likely and running around like Commando would make it even more like those one man army films, don't we just hate that? I may have revelutionised game based films, but other then that, it would not have compared to the likes of Star Wars, saying that, I had no doubt it would be a better then average movie.
Rymix @ Oct 20th 2006 7:22AM
"Oh my God! What *is* that thing!?"
[tap tap tap beep!] "We're in!"
"It's ok! Forget about me! You have to go on without me!"
"Who's going to save the Earth now?"
"I may only be a woman, damn it, but I want to *fight*!"
"They're...they're everywhere! *We have to get out of here!*" [Explosion, sparks, flickering lights]
I'm not at all sad that we have been deprived the above cheesetacular lines. No, they weren't in the leaked script, but I guarantee that they would have found their way into the final cut.
supremespleen @ Oct 20th 2006 7:39AM
Whoah, this is the guy that did the Tetra Vaal video?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1845016404760165806
That video was fantastic! Hm...
Jeffrey @ Oct 20th 2006 7:41AM
i personally think that universal studio is bullshit for turning down such a great movie, not only will it break the 200 million dollar mark in the box office, but this maybe the best sale since titanics billion dollar revunue, master in chief should come back blasting his barrels and find another studio who is willing to make money.
Jok3r @ Oct 20th 2006 7:44AM
I had no plans to go see it, Halo is overated anyways. Halo was just an open eye to those novice console gamers of what PC gamers were experiencing years before.
veto @ Oct 20th 2006 7:45AM
fox and uni are crazy , if there was ever a game destined for the big screen it's Halo. i can smell the money its going to make from here .
halo if handled right was always a no brainer ,and with MS and peter jackson being in bed with each other lately everything looked rosy.
just cough up the cash yourself MS , buy peter a studio then your all good and ready for the gears of war movie to :P
as for Neil Blomkamp as directer , i thought it was a very bold move for a movie of this size , thats not to say it wasnt a smart one tho , guys got talent.
Gregg @ Oct 20th 2006 7:46AM
why are you all talking like this is the end....they are still working on the movie, and it's almost certain that any smart studio will hop right on it....20th Century and Fox are quite possibly the 2 stupidest film studios now.
Mr BoomStick XL @ Oct 20th 2006 8:05AM
This movie will gross double of any Star Wars movie to date, any film company that grabs this IP will make a TON of money. Then again, MS may need to sweeten the deal a bit and have to take a little less on the profit. Maybe Peter Jackson should direct this movie instead of a rookie director, this will bring confidence back to this movie!!
Noise Tank Nick @ Oct 20th 2006 8:07AM
I'm kind of glad that this happened because guess what
The first Halo game would NOT have made an enjoyable film, for filmgoers or for Halo fans. The average movie patron would not be impressed by one-on-one gun battles through the same damn corridor again and again for two hours, while Halo fans have already PLAYED the lead role in Halo. Come on Microsoft, give us something new. Something from the novels, maaybe, like Master Chief's first encounter with the Covenant, or - for ultimate corporate synergy - a movie that takes place in the interim between Halo 2 and Halo 3, released shortly before the third game comes out, with the final shot in the film being the first scene in H3's opening cinematic (although I'd guess that they've already missed this timeframe.)
Harpua Scorpio @ Oct 20th 2006 8:10AM
Has anyone ever thought that most video game movies suck because the stories the filmmakers are working from aren't that great to begin with? Take a good, serious look at the "story" in the Halo games, what's so great and unique about it?
As for those who are saying that any "smart" studio is going to jump right in and take the reigns because it's a "guaranteed hit" and a "cash cow". If that's such a given than why did they have so much trouble finding a studio in the first place? Just because the game has sold a ton of copies doesn't directly translate into box office receipts, if that was the case we'd be on our 15th Madden Movie Sequel by now.
thomas_h @ Oct 20th 2006 8:13AM
DOH! i was really looking forward to a good halo movie :/
IanC @ Oct 20th 2006 8:16AM
EXCELLENT news :D
BlindsideDork @ Oct 20th 2006 8:29AM
YAY!!! I don't want this movie to be made, I am sick and tired of hearing about the OVERRATED two, Halo and Peter Jackson.
Martin @ Oct 20th 2006 8:31AM
I am sure the Sci Fi Channel and Uwe Boll can bring out the glory of the overrated Halo series.
Limestallc @ Oct 20th 2006 8:44AM
This film wont die, i doubt jackson or microsoft will let it. And if they want to make it right it wont be done directly off of the games, the games were made to be fun to play not to watch. The right thing to do would be to make it off of the Eric Nylund Halo novels which are completely outstanding and deserve a movie.
FuzzyPickles @ Oct 20th 2006 8:46AM
Great news. The Halo universe isn't prime for wonderfully unintentional comedy a la Street Fighter, anyway.
Ouch. @ Oct 20th 2006 8:46AM
How many times is "overrated" mentioned in all above posts? Wow, I hear that some people actually need to play Halo first! ;)
You don't see a MGS movie or a Zelda movie in production, at least if MS funds this one it still has much hope of shushing most of the bitchers.
Ouch. @ Oct 20th 2006 8:46AM
some of them*
maximus @ Oct 20th 2006 9:07AM
The studios are wise to pull out.. this film won't pull in anywhere near the audience figures they want. Yes Halo is a great game and a decent story but a movie based on the game will only attract fans of the game, it needs universal audience appeal which it hasn't got. It's a great game universe which is how it should be left, if Halo3 isn't a blockbuster game then the movie would be dead in the water anyway. They'd be much better off getting Bungie to do it themselves as an animated feature with a much smaller budget, that way fans of the game will lap it up and the financial risk is much smaller.
BlindsideDork @ Oct 20th 2006 9:12AM
I personally wouldn't want a ZELDA movie. In all the games there is never really a speaking Link cause it is suppose to be HIS voice. I'd hate to see Orlando Bloom as Link too!
Plus, if they did make it, it would be HORRIBLE! Metal Gear Solida might not be that bad but still be a long shot!
And I have played both halos, beaten Halo one on legendary and i saw nothing advanced about the AI, just stronger shields and weapons. it is overrated! trust me and I am not the only one who thinks it.
nick @ Oct 20th 2006 9:12AM
I think Jackson likes that this happened. Why? well not to long ago there was an interview with Jackson about why he was buying rights to make feature films of some major books or some older movies. He responded with he just liked working with his own team rather then working with a studio and a deadline.
BlindsideDork @ Oct 20th 2006 9:16AM
Oh yeah...check out your beloved Master Chief who was selected.... http://imdb.com/name/nm0689237/
@ Oct 20th 2006 9:17AM
Haha; MS tried playing hardball with the studios and it backfired. Now, they have all this hype, all the sunk costs, and no studio will touch it.
MS should do what Marvel is doing and build their own studio .. that should work out? LOL
maximus @ Oct 20th 2006 9:18AM
"This movie will gross double of any Star Wars movie to date, any film company that grabs this IP will make a TON of money."
Now that is the most ridiculous post i've read in a long time and that's saying something! Star Wars has mass appeal to people of all ages, Halo is for sci-fi fans and XBox gamers and that's it. It's a labour of love for Jackson as he's a big fan of the game, although there are plenty of gamers who adore Halo there's also plenty who can't stand it or FPS games in general. Remember the Final Fantasy movie bombed and that series of games has sold multi millions over the years and still does.
If huge game sales = huge movie ticket sales then Grand Theft Auto the movie would already be in production.
DaStuph @ Oct 20th 2006 9:28AM
Even though the Final Fantasy movies bombed, I have to say I'd rather see them make an all CG Halo movie of the quality of the Halo Wars trailer. If watching the e3 Halo trailer and the Halo Wars version widescreen with surround sound didn't give you goosebumps then your dead....or a Sony fanboy ;-)
Last thing I want to see is action star of the week ending up in a Halo adaptation....
Francois @ Oct 20th 2006 9:29AM
This is not at all surprising. Right now in blockbuster movies, for every Pirates of the Caribbean-type success there's a King Kong and a Superman Returns that doesn't do well at the box office, and even the DVD aftermarket is cooling down. Meanwhile, it's the indie films, lower-budget comedies (such as The 40 Year Old Virgin or The Break Up) and horror movies that are being succesful for studios. It's no wonder studios hesitate to finance ballooning 200 million budgets.
Besides, Peter Jackson is the new George Lucas, prone to excess once given free reign, but unfortunately for Jackson his Wignut Films doesn't have the financial independance of Lucasfilm. It's best for him to have tough studios and producers that keep his "ambition" in check; I know it would have done Lucas a world of good on his Star Wars prequels. And finally, I also don't think Halo has the mass appeal of a 200 mil movie, it sure isn't Star Wars, or even the prequels. It's a fine backdrop for a shooting game, but there's no story there to adapt to film. A Halo movie would be Advent Children-type fan service, so maybe it's best that it also goes animated and straight to video.
Royale @ Oct 20th 2006 9:32AM
I agree with 28.
I played through Halo on my PC, online multiplayer and through single player. I also played some of Halo 2 with my nephew. I didn't like it, not just the gameplay (which sucked but while the story has some potential, it doesn't go anywhere.
Oh and LOL at 27. right...