Halo Movie too pricey for Studio!

[Advanced Dark]

Posted: Thurs., Oct. 19, 2006, 10:00pm PT'Halo' pic loses its studios
Vidgame adaptation rumored to be too pricey
By MICHAEL FLEMINGIt's game over for Universal's and Fox's participation in the feature adaptation of Microsoft's "Halo."
Both of the studios that agreed to co-finance the screen adaptation of the popular Microsoft game have abruptly backed out of the picture. While rumors had the studios concerned over a budget that was rising above the original projected $135 million pricetag, the filmmakers said the double defection came after U and Fox played hardball and unsuccessfully tried to get the filmmakers and Microsoft to reduce their profit participation.

The studios made the pay cut demand as a Oct. 15 deadline approached. On that day Microsoft was to have received the bulk of a promised $5 million upfront payday. Software giant also stood to receive 10% of gross for rights to the game and a script by Alex Garland.

Rumors of a budget that could approach $200 million raged Thursday, but Ken Kamins, who reps Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, vehemently denied that figure. The duo came aboard as exec producers, joining powerhouse producers Mary Parent, Scott Stuber and Peter Schlessel.

"The only budget the filmmakers every spoke about was $145 million less the 12.5% rebate that you get from shooting in New Zealand, which would put it at about $128 million," Kamins said. "That was the only number that was ever discussed.

"What happened was this: Universal, on behalf of both studios, asked for a meeting with the filmmakers just prior to the due date of a significant payment. Basically, they said that in order to move forward with the film, the filmmakers had to significantly reduce their deals. They waited until the last minute to have this conversation. Peter and Fran, after speaking with their producing partners and with Microsoft and Bungee (the studio that designed the original game), respectfully declined."

While the exit of two studios would seem to imperil "Halo," Kamins said Microsoft is already in talks with other distribution partners. Prep work on the film continues, he said. One advantage is having Jackson and Walsh as exec producers: Most of the pre-production is being done at their visual effects studios in New Zealand, Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, so there will be no stoppage.

As word of the U and Fox exit spread, speculation centered around the inexperience of "Halo" helmer Neill Blomkamp, a 27-year-old first-time feature director.

"Everybody is supremely confident in Neal," Kamins said. "Part of what excited Peter and Fran was Neal's vision. We're very confident this film will move forward with the creative partners intact, who will take the film to production."

http://www.variety.com

 

[Darth Elektra]

Dang, I was really worried about that!

 

[Advanced Dark]

Sci-Fi is a difficult nut to crack as it is. Halo has a huge fan base as far as gamers but will they see the movie to warrant a budget of even 145 million + add costs. It's not a proven franchise on film. I'd love to see it but I hope it's not another cheese video game adaptation like Doom.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Yeah, plus originally it was going to probably get a R rating which makes it alot tougher to regain its budget back.

 

[Advanced Dark]

An R rated Halo would have huge trouble selling unless they came up with a masterpiece that attracted a large number of adults who may have never Microsoft should price the Halo 3 video game higher than usual to absorb some of the cost and finance more of it themselves. That would work.

 

[zer00]

oye

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

It kinda needs to be R-rated though.

I mean, it's a MATURE game. That'd be like bumping a Grand Theft Auto movie down to PG-13.......I think you lose some of the edge that makes the franchise what it is.

 

[Advanced Dark]

An R-Rated halo would have trouble IMO. It might be a great film but it'd lose much of it's fanbase till the DVD came out.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Halo needs to be R rated?? Not really. I am surprised that they think that is too much considering the budgets movies are getting these days.

 

[zer00]

Halo needs to be R rated?? Not really. I am surprised that they think that is too much considering the budgets movies are getting these days.

It doesn't need to be rated R, no. But that's what they're aiming for. The review for the old script was basically a hard R. With the flood and all they wanted to make a different kind of beast. Hence no restraints with an R rating. I'm all for it.

And no that's not much of a budget at all. To the point this mostly doesn't make a ton of sense.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

It doesn't need to be rated R, no. But that's what they're aiming for. The review for the old script was basically a hard R. With the flood and all they wanted to make a different kind of beast. Hence no restraints with an R rating. I'm all for it.

And no that's not much of a budget at all. To the point this mostly doesn't make a ton of sense.

Oh I see. I am not saying it can't be R rated just that it doesn't NEED to be. These days PG-13 can get pushed pretty far and I thought a lot of the stuff in Halo could be written off as creature violence. My guess is they are so worried about giving that type of budget into the hands of a director with practically no resume.

 

[BloodyWolverine]

I bet even with Peter Jacksons Problems with them. He may have to take it to New Line or maybe he should do a Lucas and just produce is own movies. Maybe MGM who is looking at his for the hobbit will produce this to get his to do the hobbit for them. Peter Jackson will i bet you have to end up directing this for a big studio to take it on. Look at the low budget Fox has granted Eragon. I say New Line, Warner Brothers, Sony, MGM would be his only chance on granting a big budget.

 

[Shuley]

I hope it never gets made... I hate Halo.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

I hope it never gets made... I hate Halo.

Sorry everyone must have missed the meeting about only making movies that entertain Shuley.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The budget isn't that excessive,it seems studio's are getting more and more antsy about trying something that isn't a comic book/hit novel or a sequel to an older hit

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

The budget isn't that excessive,it seems studio's are getting more and more antsy about trying something that isn't a comic book/hit novel or a sequel to an older hit

Well I mean when you really think about it you can't blame them. How many videogame movies can you name that were successful. I mean just look at the recent flop Doom it didn't even make back its 60 million budget in its worldwide box office.

 

[Backdrifter]

Halo is a goldmine. This was a mistake.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Halo is a goldmine. This was a mistake.

Yes I agree they need to strike while the iron is hot because Doom's popularity was winding down when the ****ing movie finally went into production.

 

[DACrowe]

It's the fact that this an R-rated film with a very niche fanbase (hardcore Halo gamers) and is going to cost probably over $150 million when is all is said and done (most R-films at that budget usually do poorly).

So on top of that Microsoft is demanding 10% of the profits. So I'm not surprised the studios said "**** you, shop it somewhere else." Oh well.

 

[Matt]

I said way back when this would be stuck in development hell for years to come.

 

[Ronny Shade]

I don't know much about Halo, but what I do know is that if the movie is going to work it has to have a very skilled directore or a buttload of money behind it. Prefferably both.

 

[Darren Daring]

Who would want to see a Halo Movie anyway?

 

[Ronny Shade]

I can say as a one or two time player of the game, that I wouldn't mind a Halo movie.


But a StarCraft movie would kick it's ass to pluto and back.

 

[Darren Daring]

The Sort of people who would watch a Halo movie are the same sort of people that shouldn't be allowed out of their cages.

 

[XwolverineX]

It'll be picked up by someone else.