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Halo Script Hawked To Studios

Posted by Zonk on from the i'd-buy-that-for-a-dollar dept.

Gamespot has the story of Microsoft's crusade to sell the Halo movie script to a studio. They really went all out, apparently, with messengers dressed as Master Chief delivering the scripts to the major studios. From the article: "Whatever studio picks up the project would also have to relinquish 'strict control of development' to Halo developer Bungie Studios, who have written a 'bible' which any director and producer would have to follow. Variety's sources say the purpose of the 'bible' is 'to make sure any changes to the script don't alter the universe established in the first two Halo games that will continue in future sequels,' apparently further confirming Halo 3 is in the works."

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting... by alvinrod · · Score: 2, Interesting
    "The script was penned by screenwriter Alex Garland (28 Days Later, The Beach), who was reportedly paid $1 million for his services."

    I can't say that I'm a terribly large fan of either of those movies. I think this guy was overpaid just a little much. They could've lifted one of the internet from some fanfic site for a lot cheaper. I'm a little bit worried about how good of a script it is.

    "Whatever studio picks up the project would also have to relinquish "strict control of development" to Halo developer Bungie Studios, who have written a "bible" which any director and producer would have to follow."

    Amen to this though. I wish all movies based on games followed this fashion. It seems to me that a lot of game based movies that could be awesome end up being terrible because they don't follow the game closely. I'm 100% behind MS on this because it ensures that some asshat won't just add or invent new stuff to make the movie look cooler. Just imagine some studio adding a romance sub-plot to appeal to the 55-80 year old woman demographic.

    Otherwise I kind of look foreward to a Halo movie. I'd also like to see a Metriod movie, and MGS movie since all of those games really have great potential. Make a good movie out of them and I will pay honor to it with my $7 movie ticket.

    1. Re:Interesting... by secolactico · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think this guy was overpaid just a little much. They could've lifted one of the internet from some fanfic site for a lot cheaper. I'm a little bit worried about how good of a script it is.

      I agree that it was a bit too much for the script, but I hope you are joking with your fanfic remark.

      If fanfic authors were any good, they probably wouldn't be writing fanfics.

      Ok, that might have been a bit too harsh. There are a couple of jewels hidden in all the muck that are fanfics, but they usually tend to be parodies. "Serious" fanfics are usually not worth anybody's time, including the author's. And don't get me started on "self-insert" fanfics.

      It seems to me that a lot of game based movies that could be awesome end up being terrible because they don't follow the game closely.

      Indeed. But some games just don't have enough material to produce a decent movie, and then you end up with "Adaptation"-like situations.
      And even those that do, sometimes end up being terrible. Remember the Wing Commander movie (tho in all fairness, Chris Roberts turned out to be a crappy movie director/writer. he should have stuck to games)

      As a fan of Halo, I hope do the Master Chief some justice and don't hire Ben Affleck/Hugh Jackman/Russel Crowe/Tom Cruise to play him. They should use an actor that at leat looks like he could kick some butt in real life. Unless they don't intend to show his face. In that case, stuff any extra into the suit and get Samuel L. Jackson to do the voice (he has the attitude, but IMHO lacks the physique, unless he pumps up like Edward Norton in American History X).

      Maybe they could get Owen Wilson... and Ben Stiller could be a covenant soldier... nah.

      --
      No sig
  2. Re:Happy they're taking measures for continuity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The lack of such control in previous attempts at translating video games to movies is probably a large reason these movies failed. I have a feeling that this is exactly the reason the Doom movie will fail (is it even still in production at this point?) I mean how can you take a move about space marines and a gate to hell being opened on mars and then turn it into a movie about mutants?

  3. Red v Blue? by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Any word on whether or not they were interested in the script?

    On a more serious note, I wonder well this will fly in Hollywood. As much as there is money to be made, Hollywood types have their own massive egos and control issues. Being told, "Here's a script we want you to make, and a bible you have to adhere to while doing it" might not get the results they are interested in.

    LotR and the Harry Potter movies have been successful even though they don't capture the true canon of the books. I think in the long run they' be better off breaking canon, but having a good movie. The flip side, is that MS has enough money to pay the production costs themselves. Get someone who is good, produce it yourself, and only use Hollywood for the distribution. That way you maintain total control throughoutand you can make sure your investment is wisely spent.

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
  4. Re:Man does not live by pixel distractions alone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Heh yeah, plus, he thinks everyone wants to live a primitive life. I'm quite familiar with the outdoors, etc (even today, I'm barefoot unless I have to go downtown, thick soles and all), but I prefer my life with technology.
    I'll take a geeky girl over a hippie girl any time. Smart chiks are hot!

  5. Re:Happy they're taking measures for continuity by Grab · · Score: 4, Interesting

    but it does help with creating a believable universe

    Not really. Check the Matrix for a prime example. And note that good FX != believable.

    Regarding LOTR, the actors were all relative unknowns at the time they were hired. All of them were good actors, yes (although Elijah Wood sadly still doesn't convince as Frodo - ho hum), but none of them were doing it for the money. In fact, none of the crew were doing it for the money at all. Watch the "making-of" bits on the extended DVDs and you'll see how personally committed they all were, and how much each group (actors and support, digital FX, model-makers, etc) really became a family. The sheer *closeness* of them all afterwards was unbelievable.

    Personally I don't there's any other movie that could inspire that kind of commitment, or ever will again. The reason they all committed was bcos it *was* LOTR, not bcos they were being paid. LOTR was a one-off, and I can't see any here-today-gone-tomorrow computer game tie-in getting anywhere near. Certainly not just bcos some studio boss has splurged $10m for the rights.

    Grab.