Microsoft now hiring Peter Jackson's Halo team [update]
by Justin McElroy 
{ Apr 23rd 2008 at 4:00PM }
So, we've been hearing about Peter Jackson's Halo project since the Kennedy administration, but we've heard nary a peep in recent months. Now, MTV Multiplayer reports that it suspects Microsoft is hiring folks for the project this week, based on a recent job listing for a team to "help develop a new experience in the Halo universe."The listings says that the team will work with an "external luminary" on the project, which has MTV thinking: Peter Jackson, duh. It has us thinking, "Are you seriously just now getting started on this?" Here's hoping we find out more about the mystery project in the coming days.
Update: Microsoft has confirmed with MTV that the job listings are for the Jackson project. "Microsoft Game Studios has been hard at work collaborating with Peter Jackson and Bungie on the development of [a Peter Jackson-helmed Halo project]. At this time, it's necessary to grow the internal team to keep pace with development. Bungie will continue to remain involved in multiple aspects of the Halo Universe with MGS."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
syrik zero @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:04PM
Just don't ruin the story
Nigeria - MK: 0430-8491-9123 @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:21PM
I don't think there's a story to ruin.
Noshino @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:28PM
1: Like Nigeria pointed out, there is no way Halo's story could be ruined...hell, even Uwe would get that right...
2: Im not a fan of LotR (haven't read it, and only seen the first movie), but I heard that Jackson kept the story intact even stracting most of the conversations from the book...
3: If you are making a movie which will need special effect/customes/out of earth setting, the studio on the top of your list should be WETA...
syrik zero @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:29PM
Think what you will. I've always liked the story. Game play is fun, but there are better games. Either way if this movie comes out almost everyone that reads this site will see this movie regardless of what you say now.
makishima @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:39PM
Well I don't know that Uwe could get it right. I mean common "Gouge evil from its shell"? And while yes there is a story, I've always found it extremely bland and lacking any real intrigue. That doesn't make it a bad story for an FPS though as the game was always more focused on action than plot or (lack of) character development. But combine that with a mediocre (in my OPINION don't flame me for not liking the game)and repetitive game and its kinda lost it for me. I do have hopes though that the movie might be interesting, or at the very least better executed than Doom was.
Shmil @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:45PM
I really am sick of everyone thinking that Halo has no story. It has a very detailed expanded universe and a lot of great stories. Yes some of the stories are generic already done sci fi stuff about space marines that we've all seen before. But what is really original these days anyway?
Jason @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:01PM
I'm more worried about the multi-player being solid. ;)
Jason @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:19PM
Noshino:
WETA licks nuts. King Kong looked like shit. I mean the dinos in Jurassic Park looked better and that movie is like 12 years old. ILM is the way to go for good CGI in my opinion.
syrik zero @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:29PM
I watched Jurassic Park just the other day and it still looks amazing! I've heard rumors of JP4 and that Steven Spielberg will be directing it. I can only hope this is all true
PojoMofo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:07PM
huh, its usually Microsofts premature ejactulations (see RRoD) that get them in trouble, but they choose to drag their heels on this??
NATO_Duke @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:16PM
*sigh*
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:10PM
I still can't believe how much weight he lost. Impressive.
Jevanzz @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:13PM
Aye, if it weren't the beard I wouldn't have recognised him.
SilentAssassin @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:28PM
Haha... I thought the same thing. That's one insane transformation.
As for the issue at hand.. They need to let him make an awesome Halo movie and be done with it, no more delays.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:19PM
Who votes for WiiFit or Subway?
Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:32PM
Maybe both Subway AND wii fit. Also, he probably burned the rope.
pavs @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:11PM
WTF!!! NO Jackson Halo, stop it! stop it now!!!
This man needs to direct Hobbit not this Halo Sh*t. F@#k halo. There, i said it!!! F@*k halo. Direct our two promised Hobbit movies first and then you can do whatever you want, i dont care. But if there is one project that starts with an "H" that I want PJ working on is Hobbit not Halo.
I think its petition time people. Unite and ask for hobbit!!!
Noshino @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:22PM
Hell no, I want the Evangelion movie...WETA has had the designs since 05 I think, argh, it pisses me off that Jackson is working on a Halo movie before the NGE one...
Lonecow @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:25PM
WETA was attached to Eva, not Jackson, he never said or acted remotely interested in it. Eva film is dead. ADV was one of the producers and they are about to bite the big one.
makishima @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:26PM
Your kinda late to the party man. Jackson will not be Directing the 2 Hobbit movies, but he will be an Executive Producer and more than likely that means WETA will handle the special effects. After his falling out with New Line I think we should all be happy he's still going to be a part of these in some way.
Noshino @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:37PM
Lonecow,
there were many rumors about him being the director, but that then he changed his mind as soon as the Halo movie was announced.
As far as I know, the NGE movie was put on hold, I dont remember correctly, anyway, I don't think it will be cancelled, more so with the release of Shin Gekijoban.
makishima @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:48PM
@noshino I do have to say, I'd love to see an Eva movie. If only to see how the hell they think they can cram that much crazy into 3+ hours without angering most of the Eva fanboys for leaving things out.
Lonecow @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:45PM
Those rumors only came from the fact WETA was involved. Please point me to one single article that has a quote with him and Eva in the same sentence.
Evangelion is probably one of the few shows I care about, and I want to see a movie as well, but with ADVs financial trouble and WETA doing everything else under the sun, I don't see it happening.
Plus WETA even came out and said they were only involved in concept drawings. That is all they were paid to do and that is all they did. There was no guarantee they would even do the special effects.
If this stupid DBZ movie turns a profit, and Speed Racer, and then Speilberg's Ghost in the Shell movie makes money, chances of an Evangelion film will be better, but that is still many years off and by then it will have changed hands so many times it might be Michael Bay in charge of it (and I would slit my wrists).
Just don't expect what little info you heard four years ago to have any impact on what may happen in the distant distant future. Miracles must happen first.
Alex @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:34PM
Aaah, I'm not the only person in the world who actually despises the Halo trilogy!
Mr Jackson, please, poop on it from a great height. It may help Halo to smell better.
PS, I hope this really sucks.
pavs @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:53PM
Well, I don't despise the Halo Trilogy, just last two installments. Combat Evolved is still in the top five of my all time favorite games.
As far as Directing Hobbit, thats still up for grabs. I know hes the executive producer and he said that he won't direct other projects (prolly cuz of this stupid shit). But there is still room on board for him to direct. It seems that New Line and Tolkien family (which now started a legal battle with New LIne over some LOTR money probably to give peter some time to make-up his stup mind and direct the movies) are kind of reluctant to sign Del Torro for Hobbit
Now dont get me wrong, I love Torro, but I want him to do his own original ideas and let Jackson finish up Tolkien.
Delgado @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:00PM
I hope all of you do know that The Hobbit movie(s) is/are in great hands.
Like someone said, the producer is Jackson, and what is really exciting is Guillermo del Toro as director. He'll do a great job, as now we have seen his true potential and mastery with Pans Labyrinth. It'll be interesting to see Tolkien work from someones perspective other than Jackson (don't get me wrong, his work on it was awesomely good).
thomas.williams.jr @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:22PM
I bet it's a kart racer.
LiK @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:27PM
cortana dating sim confirmed.
finnith @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:49PM
Apparently it's codenamed Halo: Chronicles (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Unidentified_Halo_Project)
I'm interested.
M @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:30PM
What about....Master,Chief?
Sora267 @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:02PM
More importantly....What about MISTER Chief?!
Velops @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:47PM
Does Peter Jackson have the drive to stick with this project no matter how long it takes? It is not a good sign to hear about how many false starts this project has faced so far.
GoonieGooGoo @ Apr 24th 2008 5:33PM
Aaah.....I am hopeful that this is the FORERUNNER project that had so many rumors a couple years ago.
having read the HALO books and played the games....its a very compelling storyline. Throw in all those secret forerunner terminals from HALO 3....and a prequel chronicling the war between the forerunners and the FLOOD....exciting.