Joystiq

WETA Workshop takes time off from The Hobbit to design for TF2

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST

In case you missed it buried behind the Soldier's glorious mutton chops, Team Fortress 2's new weapons from Dr. Grordbort's Infallible Aether Oscillators were created in conjunction with WETA Workshop, the makers of Orcs, Na'vi and Prawns for most of the blockbuster movies of this generation.

WETA's Greg Broadmore designed Dr. Grordbort's Infallible Aether Oscillators, which include the Righteous Bison and Cow Mangler 5000, two new weapons in the Victory Pack. To better acquaint players with these stellar WETA weapons, Valve has posted a comic featuring the Soldier and WETA promises special promo coupons at its booth at San Diego Comic-Con. Just watch out for the cow pies.

WETA Workshop takes time off from The Hobbit to design for TF2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Check out Weta's Halo Warthog this weekend in Sydney Harbor

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST

For those within the vicinity of Sydney, Australia, the land down under, it might be fun to check out the Halo Warthog on display this weekend on Cockatoo Island. The car is the same one from Neill Blomkamp's Halo short Landfall created by special effects studio Weta.

Although for many the idea of putting on their best Master Chief uniform and spending a couple grand to fly to Sydney isn't exactly a viable option, with any luck, a version of the car will make the rounds in the States for the Halo 3: ODST launch. No guarantee, but keep the dream alive, trooper.

[Via Kotaku]

Check out Weta's Halo Warthog this weekend in Sydney Harbor originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weta's Cortana statue unboxed, fabulous

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:45:00 EST

About a year ago, Weta -- the studio behind the effects and sets in the Lord of the Rings films -- announced it was producing several Halo collectibles, including an awfully gorgeous Cortana statue. It looks like a Halo fan by the name of MsValentine has finally laid hands on one and, lucky for us, she decided to share the unboxing pictures with the whole internet. These things are going for upwards of $150, so, unless you've got the cash to throw around, this might be the only chance you'll have to actually see one.

Our verdict: It looks pretty slick, apart from that distracting Master Chief hand.

[Via HBO]

Weta's Cortana statue unboxed, fabulous originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weta unveils gorgeous new Halo 3 collectibles

Dustin Burg — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

We have Halo 3 collectible figure news that comes straight from the floor at Comic-Con, where Weta unveiled a set of five new collectible statues depicting Master Chief, Cortana and various action scenes from within' the Halo universe. Currently, there are no pricing or release date details available, but just by looking at the quality and detail put into each one, we'd expect them to come with a pretty hefty price tag. You can drool over the collectible loveliness after the jump. But be warned. You may need an extra drool rag for these.

Weta unveils gorgeous new Halo 3 collectibles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo film NOT still in production at WETA

Ross Miller — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, Business

Update: The source article cited by 1UP is outdated and concerns the studios' now dashed prospects at the time the Halo film was originally canned. Joystiq regrets the error.

The Halo film is not "entirely dead" as director Neill Blomkamp said earlier this month. In fact, preparation for the movie continues at Peter Jackson's WETA Studios while Microsoft pursues new distribution partners, according to a report in Variety (via 1UP).

Concerning the previous deal that went sour, Ken Kamins, a representative for Jackson and partner Fran Walsh, told Variety that Universal had a meeting on behalf of both studios with the filmmakers just prior to a significant payment due date.

"Basically, [the studios] said that in order to move forward with the film, the filmmakers had to significantly reduce their deals," said Kamins. "They waited until the last minute to have this conversation. Peter and Fran, after speaking with their producing partners and with Microsoft and Bungie, respectfully declined."

"We're very confident this film will move forward with the creative partners intact, who will take the film to production," said Kamins, who also noted that everyone involved is still confident with Blomkamp as the director.

Halo film NOT still in production at WETA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo's Arms Race, or when live-action is more dead than CGI

Scott Jon Siegel — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:09:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Features, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, E3

In an obvious move, Peter Moore concluded Microsoft's E3 keynote with a trifecta of Halo data. But what we're still a bit befuddled by, is the 1 minute, 52 seconds of quasi-live-action footage, presented as a collaboration between Bungie, director Neill Blomkamp, and WETA.

Moore introduced the footage as "a chance to see what they've been working on, and a new chance to believe." It's a fuzzy statement, to be sure, and one that was not clarified once the live-action spot, and the keynote, ended. Admittedly, we were perplexed. Was this an indication that the Halo movie was back on track? Or something else?

Continue reading Halo's Arms Race, or when live-action is more dead than CGI

Halo's Arms Race, or when live-action is more dead than CGI originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo short film revealed, along with special 360 console [update]

Scott Jon Siegel — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:25:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters, E3

The Microsoft E3 2007 keynote ended with a blast, as Peter Moore introduced "Arms Race," a short live-action Halo short film produced by a collaboration of Weta Studios and Bungie, as well as introducing a special, limited-edition Halo-branded Xbox 360.

Said Moore, "I'm very pleased to present to you a unique partnership between Bungie Studios, Weta down in New Zealand, and director Neill Blomkamp... [It] gives you a chance to see what they've been working on, and a new chance to believe." The footage featured shots of a young man being prepped for battle, the manufacturing of UNSC-branded helmets, as well as several recognizable vehicles and weapons from the Halo universe.

Moore also showed off a new Halo-branded Xbox 360, a dark, Spartan green, with orange highlights. Moore announced that the console -- designed for what he affectionately calls the "Halo Nation" -- would be available during the holiday season, although no further details about either the console or the potential film were revealed.

[Update: Added video andt clarified information concerning the footage.]

Continue reading Halo short film revealed, along with special 360 console [update]

Halo short film revealed, along with special 360 console [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Jackson: no Blomkamp, no Halo movie

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3

The Halo movie has been through its share of ups and downs. Fans will recall that Universal and FOX backed out of the picture some time ago. Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, Peter Jackson, previously brought on as producer of the film, said that he expects Universal and FOX to show renewed interest in the film after the release of Halo 3. Given the game's staggering pre-order numbers, he might be right. Also noteworthy, Jackson states that he won't produce the film without Neill Blomkamp, whom Jackson chose based on his short film work.

What do you think, fanboys? Has Halo missed its chance at Hollywood success, or will Halo 3 spark a renewed interest?

[Via Joystiq]

Peter Jackson: no Blomkamp, no Halo movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie optimistic about Halo movie's future

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure, First Person Shooters

In response to news that Universal and Fox have pulled out of the Halo movie project, Bungie claims there's more to the story than has been reported. For now, Bungie is all "optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons [it] can't go into."

In its most recent weekly update, Bungie takes a stab at Universal and Fox, suggesting that the studios were too concerned with "the numbers" to be ideal partners. After all, Bungie reminds us that the Halo film is a delicate "creative process," implying that a reported $200 million budget, in the hands of a rookie director, is an investment worth making when Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, WETA, and Microsoft are on-board -- and, Bungie confirms, they are all still on-board and continuing with pre-production. Sounds like a deal to lure a new partner is already in the works.

Bungie optimistic about Halo movie's future originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo gets a director and another year

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3

Please take a moment to sample the video above. Now, let that sink in. What you have just witnessed is the work of the newly chosen director of (drumroll please) Halo. That's right ladies and germs, the mystery has been put to rest. It's not Guillermo. It's not Peter Jackson himself. It's a relatively unknown South African (did you hear that Ludwig?) director by the name of Neill Blomkamp. Though Blomkamp's resume consists mostly of short films and commercials, his work has garnered him many awards (including 3 Clios and a Visual Effects Society Award). Also, the Halo movie has been pushed back to 2008, ending any speculation that it would launch day and date with Halo 3.

Choosing a little known director whose work has been primarily in commercials and short films is an interesting choice. Then again, Jackson himself started out making campy horror films (so did Sam Raimi of Spider-Man fame) so, who's to say?

Do you think he's up to the job?

[Via Joystiq]

Halo gets a director and another year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weta's giant, imposing love letter to Nintendo

Christopher Grant — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo GameCube

Weta Workshop's "Tripod" -- launched in November '05 to promote the film industry in New Zealand -- is a 6.5m (about 21') tall, 5 ton bronze and steel statue that "appear to be made from railway sleepers for legs, excavator arms and hydraulic pistons, videogame console parts and toasted sandwich makers." Video game console parts, eh? Like what?

A poster at the NZGamer forums took some close-ups of an N64 controller (pictured) and a Game Boy (after the break) built into the legs. It's only a matter of time before this thing takes on religious significance for the Nintendo faithful; jaded gamers will go on pilgrimages to Wellington to experience the healing effects of the Tripod.

[Via El Jaso]

Continue reading Weta's giant, imposing love letter to Nintendo

Weta's giant, imposing love letter to Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DB Weiss takes on Halo script [update 1]

Ross Miller — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

Author D.B. Weiss, whose novel Lucky Wander Boy earned him some critical acclaim, recently spoke to GameSetWatch about the success of his book and his current project: the Halo movie script.

What about Alex Garland, who was reportedly paid $1 million for his screenplay? It is not rare for a studio to bring in another author to clean up and tweak a script, and that's our guess for what Weiss is currently doing. Weiss is also working on "an entirely new second draft" for the Lucky Wander Boy adaptation as well as tackling Ender's Game alongside David Benioff.

If nothing else (director, actors, production dates), at least the script is working out.

[via 1UP]

[update 1: In an e-mail exchange, Weiss told Joystiq that, while he can't say much, he is "doing a rewrite on the Garland script for Halo." Also, since a Joystiq commentor was curious about Ender's Game, Weiss said this: "Orson Scott Card wrote an Ender's Game script, as did Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris, and myself."]

DB Weiss takes on Halo script [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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