Slashdot Mirror
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.
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?
=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.
definitely. in fact this would be open/shut if peter jackson was directing. it's frankly puzzling why they chose the blomkamp guy when he AFAIK has not even directed a distributed feature yet. Not even one. It's tough to sell studios on that much cash and tell them that a guy who technically has never directed a movie before is in charge of what they'll see on-screen. in fact, that is a fool's errand on paper. especially given the mixed success of video game adaptations.
Much goes on that isn't being disclosed.
un burrito me trampeó.
Gordon Ramsay would probably make for an interesting chef. Or maybe Wolfgang Puck.
Stephen Yan would be my nostalgic choice, but I don't think he has the star power they're looking for.
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).
"Or maybe Wolfgang Puck [wikipedia.org]."
I think he's already under contract for that forthcoming Rockstar game in which he does the voice of a lycanthropic ice-hockey player. With that name, he's already pre-typecast.
I'm holding out for Emerill Lagasse going BAM! every time he vaporizes a baddie.
Where were you when the voynix came?
Just some Swedish fellow.
Bork, bork, bork!
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
I will explain. Peter Jackson directed several feature films ( I think the exact number is 4; he'd produced twice as many features roughly in the same time span) by the time he was commisioned to do LOTR. He proved himself capable of handling multimillion dollar budgets and incorporating his technical expertise into telling cogent narrative. He also proved himself an excellent manager of resources and was ready to exploit the tax advantages of shooting in New Zealand. So to say that Jackson made it big only through special effects is not accurate. I suspect this is why you posted as AC.
Your assessment is based on emotion (he's created the most unbelievable 3d work I've ever seen... I can imagine... etc.) and hype; there are a lot of people who are far more qualified to direct a film of this magnitude who have displayed Blomkamp's skillset and more.
I suspect the following: Blomkamp is a layer to shield Peter Jackson from personal damage to his brand should the film not do well or not be well received. Thus there needs to be significant disparity between relative skillsets. A failure is chalked up to: he's young and inexperienced, but shows promise. A success is win/win for everyone. This is risk mitigation. Jackson will essentially be directing this film. Blomkamp serves a dual role; he will essentially be pimped out on Hollywood projects afterwards; Jackson will be attached to all as exec producer (as will Weta be, of course: he needs to work hard to chip away at ILM's Hollywood monopoly) and collect his cut in addition to working on his own projects, essentially doubling his earning potential with nominal additional work.
un burrito me trampeó.
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?