Everyone knows that videogame movies are terrible. From Mario to Streetfighter to Resident Evil to Alone In The Dark to Doom, all videogame movies suck more arse than an industrial liposuction machine – but what about Halo?
Halo was supposed to be the movie that changed all that. The Halo movie was based on a top-selling videogame, with a script by an excellent novelist, a multiple Oscar-winner as an executive producer, a cocky up-and-comer as a director, the financial muscle of Microsoft behind it and the backing of two big Hollywood studios. Except not that last one any more – 20th Century Fox and Universal have pulled out of the Halo movie. However, Microsoft and Halo makers Bungie have reaffirmed their intentions to make a Halo movie with or without Hollywood – even though the 'without Hollywood' version will probably involve Master Chief battling some upturned wastepaper baskets with a 10p water pistol. In a pair of jeans and a tatty sweater. In the woods behind the municipal car park.
The Halo movie wasn't just one of the most anticipated videogame movies of recent years, it was one of the most anticipated movies of recent years full stop. Alex Garland – of The Beach and 28 Days Later – was announced early on as the Halo movie writer, then a release date was set – we'd all see the Halo movie by Summer 2007. That date never looked realistic, but at least Peter Jackson was signed up to executive produce Halo, and then Neill Blomkamp – the man who invented the annoying dancing car adverts – got the nod as director.
Everything was falling into place – and then 20th Century Fox and Universal, the Hollywood studios behind Halo, pulled out. Why they didn't want to make a Halo movie any more nobody knows. Perhaps they realised that spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a movie that they'd probably never get back figured in there somewhere. But Microsoft and Bungie are nothing if not dedicated to making an enormously expensive film that only a handful of people will be that excited about, and they've done statements about it and everything. Microsoft said of the Halo situation:
"We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal. But the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same — to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise. [Exec producers] Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality. We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognise the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide."
And Frank O'Conner from Bungie seemed to take Hollywood's "we don't want to make your silly film any more" as "here's a billion dollars and a sack of strippers, go crazy" judging by his ecstatic response to not really having a Halo movie any more:
"The reality here at Bungie towers is a feeling of optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons we can't go into. Frankly we're interested in making the best movie, and it's possible that a partner who's more concerned with numbers, might not be the best partner for what's more vitally a creative process. Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process. Actually, when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little."
Whether or not this is all bluster and the Halo movie is shagged forever remains to be seen. Perhaps 20th Century Fox and Universal want to throw their Halo money at hecklerspray, since we've got a movie script based on Barry McGuigan World Championship Boxing for the Spectrum that would rock their freaking worlds.
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[story by Stuart Heritage]
Gilbert Wham says
Are you insane? Streetfighter is an excellent movie.
Beastial_RaGw says
well well well looks like its time to be the death of universal and 20th century fox. bout time i say.
probly some not so well known film company thats got the funds, will help produce the movie and
become better known then universal or 20th century. YAY!
roman osborn says
i think that hollywood should go ahead and help make the movie i would go see it just because i wiould hope to see the fighting and killing that you experence when
you are playing halo2 or just halo they both are 5star game and i just tell them to fuckin stick a sock in it if they wont help you make the movie. i think more people would go see that movie the
most other movies anywhy …but thats just me ps: halo kicks ass.. good luck
Garry Hibbert says
I really can’t see them pulling out… Even if it turns out to be a crap film, there and going to be hundreds of thousands of kids that’ll want to watch it for themselves, even crap films make a crap load of money.
PS STREETFIGHTER’s up there with CATWOMAN… SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE!!!