A Halo Movie?

sfft_2108 · #1 06-14-2005, 01:58 AM

Quote:

LOS ANGELES - Microsoft Corp. was near a deal Friday to sell the rights to make a movie based on hit video game series “Halo” after a recent round of Hollywood talks in which a high asking price and demands for creative input drew the ire of some parties, sources said.

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The bidding for a movie based on “Halo” and “Halo 2,” a science fiction series about a warrior named Master Chief who battles aliens, began Monday when a script commissioned by Microsoft was delivered to Hollywood studios by messengers wearing Master Chief green armor and toting laser guns.

(MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

Represented by Creative Artists Agency, Microsoft sought an unusually high upfront payment of $10 million plus 15 percent of initial gross box office sales, which led several studios to drop out of talks, according to sources near the deal-making.

Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox teamed up to make the winning offer that calls for an initial payment of $5 million plus 10 percent of initial box office receipts, sources said, although they cautioned that final details may change.

A formal announcement is likely next week after creative issues are hammered out between the studios and Microsoft.

Fox declined to comment and Universal said it did not discuss pending deals.

Microsoft spokesman Carlos de Leon would not confirm financial details nor would Creative Artists, but the deal is notable for several reasons.

Typically a Hollywood studio or producer might spot a hot game, comic, or story and buy the film rights. The studio or producer would hire a writer, then seek financial partners.

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In this case, however, Microsoft hired writer Alex Garland, who penned 2003 horror hit “28 Days Later,” to dream up the story. Microsoft and CAA then sent their script to the studios and demanded to be part of the creative development.

“Microsoft is not in the business of making movies, and that is why we want to partner with the studios. (But) we have an obligation to make sure the 'Halo’ franchise is protected and is something 'Halo’ fans can be proud of,” said de Leon.

He said that soon after the first “Halo” game became a hit in 2001, Microsoft was approached by Hollywood studios and producers wanting to snap up the movie rights, but the company was always mindful of maintaining some sort of creative input.

The “Halo” games have been huge hits for Microsoft’s Xbox video game group. When released last fall, “Halo 2” sold 2.4 million units in its first day. Overall, the franchise has sold 13 million units worldwide, generating some $600 million in revenue, according to various industry sources.

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Gamers go gunning for 'Halo 2'

Movies based on video games have turned in mixed results in Hollywood. The most successful was 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” which raked in $275 million worldwide for Paramount Pictures, according to boxofficemojo.com

The sequel, “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,” was widely considered a flop in the U.S. and Canada with only $66 million in ticket sales, although it did prove more successful in the international market, with $91 million.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8172311/

Yippy.

Montu Man · #2 06-14-2005, 02:12 AM

Universal took up the job. Now the movie will be sexy.

Maxamillious · #3 06-14-2005, 04:19 AM

A movie, your all joking right. The game is ok, but a movie based on the game? Thats just lame. Thats like a movie about Barney going to 'telly-tubby-land' . . . . ya . . . .

. . . . not cool.

- Max

Kyle L · #4 06-14-2005, 04:19 AM

Halo is bad enough in Video Game and Novel Form. Why are they doing a movie? The DOOM movie actually looked good until they ditched a few things. Video Game movies never work.

A Halo movie sounds almost as boring as the game. Sit there as you walk through world after world of the same swarms of Artificial Intelligence. Goodie!

The only good movie after a video game that would work is Call of Duty. COD is a cinematic experience.

**Phil** · #5 06-14-2005, 12:22 PM

The game has a pretty interesting story, so they do have something to work with. I still think it'll end up being a mess though.

Montu Man · #6 06-14-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle L

Halo is bad enough in Video Game and Novel Form. Why are they doing a movie? The DOOM movie actually looked good until they ditched a few things. Video Game movies never work.

A Halo movie sounds almost as boring as the game. Sit there as you walk through world after world of the same swarms of Artificial Intelligence. Goodie!

The only good movie after a video game that would work is Call of Duty. COD is a cinematic experience.

Finally, someone who agrees with me that Campaign mode sucks. But playine it on Xbox Live is awesome, and that's where the game shines.

**Wes** · #7 06-14-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxamillious

A movie, your all joking right. The game is ok, but a movie based on the game? Thats just lame. Thats like a movie about Barney going to 'telly-tubby-land' . . . . ya . . . .

. . . . not cool.

- Max

Well look at Tomb Raider. Those are based on a video game.

Same thing for Final Fantasy.

All have been mid-level hits and the studios have run out of fresh ideas, so they will turn anywhere they can to get new ideas.

Plus Halo is so popular, it would draw a lot of the "faithful".

Kyle L · #8 06-14-2005, 03:07 PM

Well, there is another movie based on a video game coming out, DOOM the movie. At first the idea is great, because the game offers a horrific experience (If you're not jumbling to find your flashlight.....) But its a different type of movie. Its more so horror and scary type film. However, the film got stripped of a lot of things that made it great. (Its not taking place on Mars, no refrences to Hell...etc.)

Well, I just remembered that Halo does have a good storyline, but I don't know. I think they should keep that greatness in the video game form. Tomb Raider was never a good game...ever...lol. Final Fantasy is proabobly the best series of games ever to exist, so they screwed up pretty bad with that movie.

I wouldn't see a Halo movie. It would proabobly be dull. If the movie were accurate, the beggining would be pretty cool, but once they crash on Halo...then I'd proabobly start to nap.

coasterlove · #9 06-14-2005, 04:24 PM

I'm in no way a fan of Halo or first person shooters in general but I would probably seriously consider seeing the movie. At the game's core, it's about lots of gunfire and killing aliens. Sure, there is a story but it's going to be all about how good the special effects are and if the action is good. A decent cast and director would help of course too. If it comes together nicely, I'll defenitely see it. I love action movies especially if it involves a lot of shooting aliens. Maybe it will be similar in style to James Cameron's Aliens. If so, that could be a very good movie.

I'm sure it will be a hit as long as it looks decent. You have a few million strong Halo fans who will no doubt see the movie. Just the fans alone which I would guess in this county would be maybe 5 million or so seeing the movie gives it a box office of $40-50 million. If it's a good movie, I'd bet half of those would see it again and then there's also people like me who want to see big action movies. That could bring anywhere from another 50 million dollars to possibly over $100 all depending on the quality of it. If it ends up being cheesy and bad, it will probably still make $75 million just like last year's Alien vs. Predator. If it's good or even great, it could make over $100, possibly $150 million.

Martin · #10 06-17-2005, 07:12 PM

I like the game, but a movie on it is really going to be bad. It will probably be like watching someone else playing the game but with a little plot to it. Thumbs down for me.

AdrenalinexX · #11 06-20-2005, 12:26 PM

I think the idea is great provided that you have the right crew working on it.I'd see it though good or bad.

RLLrCoastrLover · #12 06-20-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgwfreak

Plus Halo is so popular, it would draw a lot of the "faithful".

LOL. That is true. The movie will be popular no matter if it is good or bad.

I don't play Halo because I don't have X-box. I know that there is going to be a Splinter Cell movie, I think a movie about splinter cell would be better than halo but who knows?

hulkrider04 · #13 06-20-2005, 06:27 PM

Now they can make a Halo ride.(MIB type!!!)

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