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Halo Film Still On Track
Eurogamer reports that, despite the decision by Fox and Universal to back out of the movie's production, the film version of Halo will move forward. From the article: "Now Microsoft has released an official statement via the Bungie website which reads: '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 ... Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality,' the statement continues.
As time goes on, is there really much difference between watching leading-edge graphics video in demo mode, and a film of the game? Perhaps a "Halo" movie might be interesting if it had a running sarcastic commentary from sillouhette heads of Morgan Webb and Adam Sassler. On second thought, make sure to silhouette more than Morgan's head.
Where were you when the voynix came?
I really hope they can recreate the feel of the game in the movie. We all know video game movies don't usually do well, but they have potential. I liked in Doom when they had the first-person perspective, i thought it was a great touch. I think I would watch the Halo movie (if it indeed does come out) just because of the many nights I've spent getting my butt kicked. With the huge popularity of the Halo series, I do hope it is a good movie.
But, with the up and down of "Yes it will be made" and "No, we're not going to make it" it makes me wonder if it actually will make it to the theatre.
I bet they could get more support if Jackson was the director instead of the producer.
Now that Anna Nicole Smith has replaced Paris Hilton as Cortana the project is back on track.
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
Although the old Marathon games had fantastic stories, the two Halo games are embarrassingly dull even for the fps genre.
This desperation move by Microsoft to self fund this assured turkey of a movie is like some worthless rich person paying to make their own biography on film that no one else cares about.
The only thing notable about the entire Halo 'universe' is that stupid green metal effect...
=Oh? I didn't realize. He's your pal, is he? Your chum? Do you have any idea what that bastard almost made you do?!
-Yes... Activate Halo's [financial] defenses, and destroy the [doubters], which is why we brought the [bag of money] to the control center.
=You mean this? [holds up a sack-o-cash© of fanboy money]
+A fanboy?! In the core?! That is absolutely unacceptable!
=Sod off!
+What impertinence! I shall purge you at once!
=You sure that's a good idea?
+How, how... How dare you! I'll-
=Do what? I have the [money]! You can just float and sputter!
-Enough! The flood [of disinterest] is spreading. If we activate Halo's [financial] defenses, we can wipe them out.
=You have no idea how this [bankroll] works, do you? Why the forerunners built it? Halo doesn't kill flood, it kills their food. Humans, covenant, [fanboys,] whatever. We're all equally [disposible]. The only way to stop the flood is to starve them to death. And that's exactly what Halo is designed to do; wipe the galaxy clean of all [interest]. You don't believe me? Ask him.
-Is this true?
+(pauses) More or less. Technically, this [adaptation's] pulse has a maximum effective radius of twenty-five thousand [theaters]. But, once the others follow suit, this galaxy will be quite devoid of [interest], or at least any [interest] with sufficient [income] to sustain the flood. (pause) But you already knew that. I mean, how couldn't you?
=Left out that little detail, did he?
+We have followed outbreak containment procedure to the letter. You were with me each step of the way, as we managed this crisis.
=Chief, I'm picking up movement!
+Why would you hesitate to do what you have already done?
=We need to go, right now.
+Last time, you asked me, if it was my choice, would I do it? Having considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed.
=There is no choice. We must activate the [bankroll].
=(whispers in Master Chief's head) Get us out of here!
+If you are unwilling to help, I will simply find another. Still, I must have the [money]. Give your [fanboys] to me, or I will be forced to take [them] from you.
-That's not going to happen.
+So be it. Save his [wallet]. Dispose of the rest.
-Bungie
=Fans
+Microsoft
-Nis
kick some Covenant ass, the credits will roll, leaving you with the same feeling that you had at the end of Halo 2.... "W...t....f...?"
Never monkey with another monkey's monkey.
Halo is just so bland... But to each his own I guess.
Now I don't know how much money the backers have behind Jackson in this endeavour, but shiny graphics and explosions aside, if the story-line isn't there this will be just another game-movie crossover flop.
... Even G.L. knows big money projects are a thing of the past.
THAT in turn, will probably be the 'twig that broke the camels back' in terms of big money game/comic-book based movie franchises. I'm sure there will be the others that continue on, Batman saga, Spiderman, Superman
Personally, I'd rather see 10-20 *low budget* INDEPENDENT game/comic-book crossover films than one 'Industry Stamped Mass Advertised' P.O.S.!!!!! Its been said before but I'll say it again, 'Hollywood is OUT of ideas'. Its time for the Indie projects to take over.
Sidenote: Apparently the motion picture industry finally pulled their head out of their arse, and discovered the south central U.S, as many a film project has come to TX, and La. At least moreso than there has in the past... "Oh, my gawd. They have trees here!!!"
Any idea who is going to play him?
Where were you when the voynix came?
Why don't they just trash the script as-is and set aside the rest of the budget to make a Red vs. Blue movie?
Something important to bear in mind: Halo was the game that defined the Xbox launch and led a lot to it's success. Halo 2 was THE game of the last console generation (fastest selling media in the US, $125 million in 24 hours) .. I have a lot of non-gamer friends that specifically bought X-Boxes and Halo 2 (as well as live subscriptions) just to play online together across the country.
Now, if you actually have played the game, or seen the 'making of' DVD, you might change your perspective. They developed the game a lot like an actual Hollywood production, with professional spot-on voice acting, a great plotline, and scored by a symphony orchestra (along with some modern rockers) ..
True, the normal rule of thumb is "Video Game -> Movies do poorly and suck." But take into account the original games used to make the adaptation: Super Mario Bros, Double Dragon, Bloodrayne, Doom, etc. Garbage in = Garbage out.
Both Jackson and Bungie are anal-retentive diehards about thier work, there is a very strong chance that this game will break the bank at the box office. Not to mention that this will further market the Xbox 360 and Halo 3 simultaneously; I just hope M$ doesn't rush it to meet a 2007 launch to coincide with the game (which I doubt Bungie will allow them to do .. they only rushed Halo out the door .. they sat on Halo 2 and 3 despite what Microsoft wanted, in order to do the job right, and it paid off in spades).
How many video games have spawned great movie adaptations? Tomb Raider, Resident Evil... the problems with these movies are too numerous to mention here, but too often, it seemd like they aimed directly at the 13-17 year old demographic, creating products designed to peddle merchandise, which were often left failing to even attain the level of "enjoyable popcorn movie." I'm not arguing that every movie needs to be at the level of Lawrence of Arabia, Paths of Glory, the Red-White-Blue cycle, or even the original Matrix or the LOTR films. However, many of the video game movies are not even watchable (perhaps the only exception I can think of was AVP, which was at least watchable).
The potential for Halo to be turned into a good movie definitely exists. Many times, when playing the original game, I thought that it had the making of a good sci-fi horror movie, in the vein of the original Alien. The creepiness factor definitely exists, especially if the CGI team takes their time in creating "The Flood." The challenge will be in not producing a product that is too derivative. Obviously, the game producers drew on Predator, Alien, and other sci-fi movies when creating the game. The last thing I would want is to pay my $10-11, sit through it and say, "Wow... it's just like Aliens, but not as good."
Finally, I would hope that for Peter Jackson, this would be an opportunity to exorcise some of the demons of King Kong and get back to the level of quality that made the LOTR trilogy so magical. While I know that he is not directing it, his "stamp" of approval will reside on the movie, and I hope it reflects his best efforts.
What movies were these? Even Google turned up nothing.
Where were you when the voynix came?
"I was thinking more along the lines of Isaac Hayes..."
Chocolate Salty Spaceballs, natch.
Where were you when the voynix came?
"How many video games have spawned great movie adaptations? "
Silent Hill.
"Halo Film Still On Track" doesn't seem quite accurate. How about "Halo Film Completely Derailed Pending Desperate Scramble To Find New Suckers Willing To Throw Millions To Jackson And Microsoft For No Apparent Reason".
Purely just because of Blomkamp, and as a proud South African.
the role was made for him.+
Why does Microsoft need financial backing from Fox/Universal? Sure they're going to need them for advertising and all the other filmy things they do, but MS must have $150M laying around in petty cash of their own somewhere. Why use Fox/Universal's and let them take the returns on it, or does it come in some sort of package deal from them that isn't negotiable?
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Movies haven't been a young medium for decades. They can't change largely because the people associated with them aren't adaptable. ...especially the select few who make the decisions.
Let games and other interactive media take their place.
...and let Hollywood continue to live in the past if that's what they want.