Halo Movie updates

[DarkJedi]

Halo movie production comes to a halt.

'Halo' pic loses its studios
Vidgame adaptation rumored to be too pricey
By MICHAEL FLEMING


It's game over for Universal's and Fox's participation in the feature adaptation of Microsoft's "Halo."
Both of the studios that agreed to co-finance the screen adaptation of the popular Microsoft game have abruptly backed out of the picture. While rumors had the studios concerned over a budget that was rising above the original projected $135 million pricetag, the filmmakers said the double defection came after U and Fox played hardball and unsuccessfully tried to get the filmmakers and Microsoft to reduce their profit participation.

The studios made the pay cut demand as a Oct. 15 deadline approached. On that day Microsoft was to have received the bulk of a promised $5 million upfront payday. Software giant also stood to receive 10% of gross for rights to the game and a script by Alex Garland.

Rumors of a budget that could approach $200 million raged Thursday, but Ken Kamins, who reps Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, vehemently denied that figure. The duo came aboard as exec producers, joining powerhouse producers Mary Parent, Scott Stuber and Peter Schlessel.

"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," Kamins said. "That was the only number that was ever discussed.

"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."

While the exit of two studios would seem to imperil "Halo," Kamins said Microsoft is already in talks with other distribution partners. Prep work on the film continues, he said. One advantage is having Jackson and Walsh as exec producers: Most of the pre-production is being done at their visual effects studios in New Zealand, Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, so there will be no stoppage.

As word of the U and Fox exit spread, speculation centered around the inexperience of "Halo" helmer Neill Blomkamp, a 27-year-old first-time feature director.

"Everybody is supremely confident in Neal," Kamins said. "Part of what excited Peter and Fran was Neal's vision. We're very confident this film will move forward with the creative partners intact, who will take the film to production."

Curious on this piece of news just right after Microsoft signs PJ and FW to directing the next Halo (not Halo 3..)game as well...Wonder what it does to that production team up.

[Nostromo]

Seems like NBC Universal is bailing on anything that hints of being cost excessive. Note the company announced $750M U.S. in prime - time and news programming cuts this week. I also wonder if Fox and Universal don't want to be the next studios to be stung by profit sharing ie: Paramount / Cruise.
N

[Lavoruis]

Bye Bye NBC.
there logic is flawed... as far game show reality shows.
Its been done and pretty all interest in the concept in the reality
tv craze is going.... except a narrow few***
Also free dowloads of tv shows, never give anybody anything free!
now of these days, they take an inch and want a 100 miles.
a said state for tv today

[awakenangel]

The free downloads are for people who spend more time on their computer than the tv sets and still keeps interests in the shows they are running.
And who knows how much money they are getting from the studios to run their shows online.
We're talking about big business and when they are giving away something for free...they are making money somewhere else . Even if we can not see where.:smirks:

[DarkJedi]

Originally Posted by Lavoruis

Bye Bye NBC.
there logic is flawed... as far game show reality shows.
Its been done and pretty all interest in the concept in the reality
tv craze is going.... except a narrow few***
Also free dowloads of tv shows, never give anybody anything free!
now of these days, they take an inch and want a 100 miles.
a said state for tv today

Errr Okay, Lav.. Can I ask what this has to do with two major movie studios pulling financially out of Halo-The Movie?? There is a television forum...

[Lavoruis]

Originally Posted by awakenangel

The free downloads are for people who spend more time on their computer than the tv sets and still keeps interests in the shows they are running.
And who knows how much money they are getting from the studios to run their shows online.
We're talking about big business and when they are giving away something for free...they are making money somewhere else . Even if we can not see where.:smirks:

Yeah I know you do,
enjoy being sterile
as for darkjedi, you really loves us all , dont you.

[awakenangel]

[DarkJedi]

Things are still going forward at least..

Game on for Halo despite studio pullout
Oct 21, 2006

Reports that it was game over for Peter Jackson's Halo movie are being shot down by industry insiders.

Universal and Fox have pulled out of the movie deal but Microsoft and Jackson are reporting business as usual.

"If you remember during King Kong Peter explained how King Kong was gonna be before Lord of the Rings and it fell over and back it came again...it's just part of film making," says Weta Ltd spokesperson Jamie Wilson.

Rumours of a budget blow-out have been denied. Jackson and his producing partners, including Microsoft, claim Universal and Fox asked them to reduce their profit take. They declined, confidant the project is safe.

Recently the game Doom was made into a feature film that barely broke even at the box office.

Some fans in New Zealand have suggested that the difficult transition from game to film could be one of the reasons for fox and universals cold feet.

"When you're dealing with a franchise like Halo, having an established director even involved in it brings it to that level above even a Doom movie or a Tomb Raider. It's not selling on the star, it's selling on the director and the producer," says Armageddon spokesperson Bill Geradts.

Work on Halo is continuing and other studios are said to be lining up to replace the defectors.

[KingVoyeur]

You know, if only more people pulled out, we wouldn't have some of the crazy bastards we've got running around today...

[awakenangel]

But then the world would be boring.