Halo Goes to the Big Screen in 2007

Posted on August 23, 2005

Variety reports that a movie deal has finally been cut for Halo after Microsoft shocked studios by having Master Chief deliver copies of the script in May. Universal and Fox will produce the film with a 2007 target date.

Former Columbia prexy Peter Schlessel, who served as a Hollywood liaison for Microsoft, is producing. "28 Days Later" scribe Alex Garland was paid $1 million by Microsoft to pen a script that met its approval (Daily Variety, Feb. 4). He'll now do a rewrite with studio notes, after which U will go out to directors.

"'Halo' is one of those rare properties where you have a rich world from which to draw as well as a recognized brand, which in today's times is a benefit to anyone developing and producing films," Universal production prexy Donna Langley said.

When Microsoft first hit studios with the script in June, delivered by messengers dressed as Master Chief, it had a long list of deal points, including $10 million against 15% of the gross, extensive creative control and quick progress to production (Daily Variety, June 7).

Halo 2 has won literally every 2005 gaming award out there including editorial and fan awards so it will be fun to see if Fox and Universal can turn the film into a motion picture blockbuster -- especially with Microsoft closely observing every move they make.

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