Production on Microsoft "Halo" Movie Halted

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 1, 2006 - 2:54pm.

Los Angeles - Production on the film version of Microsoft's "Halo" Xbox video game has been officially postponed, according to a statement from Microsoft and Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh's Wingnut Films.

Two financial backers of the movie -- Fox and Universal Pictures -- recently bowed out, with Microsoft saying at the time it would move forward on production while it sought new partners. "As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement.

At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen," the parties said in a statement.

Microsoft also dispelled a rumor that uncertainty with first-time director Neill Blomkamp was a factor in the financing and production process. "We are fully supportive of director Neill Blomkamp's vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring," the company said.

Related Links:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061101/microsoft_halo_movie.html?.v=1 (AP)
http://tinyurl.com/y29wu6 (IESB.net)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464037 ("Halo" movie details)