Peter Jackson Producing Halo Movie

[bapenguin]

WOW. This is GOOD news for Halo Fans.

Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that triple-Academy Award® winners Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as the executive producers of HALO®, the upcoming feature film based on Microsoft’s phenomenally popular video game from Bungie Studios. Jackson and Walsh will provide creative counsel on all aspects of the film via their WingNut Films banner, and Jackson’s award-winning companies Weta Digital Ltd. and Weta Workshop Ltd. will provide creatures, miniatures and visual effects for the production. The HALO agreement marks the first time that Jackson and Walsh have performed these services on a major studio film that Jackson is not directing.
Full Press Release Inside.

AWESOME!

[bapenguin]

ACADEMY AWARD® WINNERS PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE HALO FOR THE BIG SCREEN FOR SUMMER 2007


Creatures, Miniatures and Visual Effects
To Be Created by Weta Workshop Ltd. and Weta Digital Ltd.


Los Angeles, CA, October 4, 2005 — Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that triple-Academy Award® winners Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as the executive producers of HALO®, the upcoming feature film based on Microsoft’s phenomenally popular video game from Bungie Studios. Jackson and Walsh will provide creative counsel on all aspects of the film via their WingNut Films banner, and Jackson’s award-winning companies Weta Digital Ltd. and Weta Workshop Ltd. will provide creatures, miniatures and visual effects for the production. The HALO agreement marks the first time that Jackson and Walsh have performed these services on a major studio film that Jackson is not directing.

Mary Parent and Scott Stuber will produce HALO with Peter Schlessel. After Fox, led by President Hutch Parker and Universal, led by Production President Donna Langley, acquired the feature film rights to HALO, the studios worked in conjunction with Schlessel in reaching out to a number of producers who auditioned for Microsoft/Bungie. The film is currently targeted for a Summer 2007 worldwide release. Universal will handle domestic distribution of the film, and Fox will handle the international release.

This unique alliance among Fox, Universal, Microsoft, and Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh promises a step forward in motion picture production. HALO will benefit from the experience and resources of the film studios, from Bungie Studios’ groundbreaking vision, and from Jackson and Walsh’s creative sensibilities and expertise in both traditional filmmaking and the world of emerging digital technologies.

HALO will be shot in its entirety in Wellington, New Zealand and will make use of the full range of Jackson’s state-of-the-art production and post-production facilities, including Weta Digital Ltd., Weta Workshop Ltd., Stone Street Studios and Park Road Post.

“As a gaming fan, I’m excited to bring HALO's premise, action and settings to the screen with all the specificity and reality today’s technology can provide,” said Jackson. “Fran and I are intrigued by the unique challenges this project offers, and we’re delighted to be working again with our friends at Universal, and with our new ones at Fox and Microsoft. I’m a huge fan of the game and look forward to helping it come alive on the cinema screen.”

Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos, Co-Chairmen of Fox Filmed Entertainment remarked, “HALO, Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh, Fox, Universal and Microsoft. That is one hell of a starting five, and we can't wait to play.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased, or proud, to continue our relationship with Peter and Fran on this film,” said Stacey Snider, Chairman of Universal Pictures. “There are no filmmakers who better understand the delicate balance between technology and drama, and how the best use of today’s astonishing digital tools is in the service of not only spectacle but also a solid story. We are confident that the HALO feature film can be most fully realized under the creative direction of Peter, Fran and Weta.”

“Peter Jackson is one of Hollywood’s most exciting innovators, and our partnership with him will greatly broaden the appeal of the HALO franchise,” said Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Software Architect. “We’re confident he’ll create an epic that not only thrills existing HALO fans, but also introduces millions of moviegoers around the world to this amazing saga.”

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (each a winner of three Academy Awards® for their work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy) are currently in post-production on Universal Pictures’ dramatic adventure King Kong, in which Jackson brings his sweeping cinematic vision to the iconic story of the gigantic ape captured in the wild and brought to civilization where he meets his tragic fate. Jackson assumes directing, producing and co-screenwriting duties on King Kong and surrounds himself with a list of superlative filmmaking and acting talents. Jackson re-teams with longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, co-writing the screenplay with three-time Oscar ®-winning partner Walsh and their The Lord of the Rings co-writer, Academy Award® winner Boyens. Jan Blenkin, Carolynne Cunningham, Fran Walsh and Jackson are producing the film under their WingNut Films banner for a worldwide December 14, 2005 release.

Acclaimed screenwriter (28 Days Later) and novelist (The Beach) Alex Garland wrote the original feature film adaptation of HALO, and a director will be announced shortly.

Donna Langley, President of Production, Universal Pictures and Hutch Parker, President of Twentieth Century Fox, will oversee the production for their respective studios along with Microsoft.

Bungie Studios (a division of Microsoft) created the international award-winning “Halo” in 2001, and the resulting franchise is supported by a rabid fanbase around the globe. “Halo” and its 2004 follow-up “Halo 2” have sold a combined 13.8 million copies worldwide and grossed more then $600 million (U.S.). Last November, “Halo 2” shattered records with $125 million in first-day sales.

About Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video games and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries around the world. This holiday season Microsoft debuts its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you.

Developer Information
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the “Marathon Trilogy” and the first two “Myth” games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Released in 2001, “Halo: Combat Evolved” has achieved phenomenal success on the Microsoft® Xbox video game system and is also available for the PC. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net/.

About Twentieth Century FOX
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

About Universal
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

* * *

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

[Evil Avatar]

Microsoft sends along a Press Release announcing that award winning Director Peter Jackson will jump in as Executive Producer on the upcoming Halo movie.

Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that triple-Academy Award winners Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as the executive producers of HALO, the upcoming feature film based on Microsoft’s phenomenally popular video game from Bungie Studios. Jackson and Walsh will provide creative counsel on all aspects of the film via their WingNut Films banner, and Jackson’s award-winning companies Weta Digital Ltd. and Weta Workshop Ltd. will provide creatures, miniatures and visual effects for the production. The HALO agreement marks the first time that Jackson and Walsh have performed these services on a major studio film that Jackson is not directing.

Mary Parent and Scott Stuber will produce HALO with Peter Schlessel. After Fox, led by President Hutch Parker and Universal, led by Production President Donna Langley, acquired the feature film rights to HALO, the studios worked in conjunction with Schlessel in reaching out to a number of producers who auditioned for Microsoft/Bungie. The film is currently targeted for a Summer 2007 worldwide release. Universal will handle domestic distribution of the film, and Fox will handle the international release.

Acclaimed screenwriter (28 Days Later) and novelist (The Beach) Alex Garland wrote the original feature film adaptation of HALO, and a director will be announced shortly.

[Ludoc]

Yar, you beat me to it. Damn my slow typing!

I guess I'll have to break my embargo of video games turned into movies.

[Paltry]

Im not going to lie... i have an erection right now

[The Continental]

This news is so one minute ago. Literally.

[fitbabits]

Im not going to lie... i have an erection right now
He's not lying - I can see it from here!!! Put a hat on that thing!

[Ernst_Jager]

I like the sound of it so far. 28 Days Later was a damn good movie, and of course the LOTR series wasn't to shabby itself. Now they need a good Master Chief.

[Rakael]

Ok, my hopes for this movie just went through the roof. Sadly, it will never live up to my expectations now.

[Cupelix]

Really, all this guarantees is that you're going to get good special effects, because the people at WETA know their stuff.

Outside of that, some really smart creative people have executive produced some really exceptionally shitty movies.

[ÜberJumper]

You're fucking kidding me.

*checks date* nope, not April 1st.

Holy shit, could be awesome.

[Roc Ingersol]

I've got to imagine this is the super exciting cool news that bungie was promising.
And not the yawn-inspiring halo-character-in-doa4 thing.

[TheKeck]

Dang it, you mean I'm actually going to HAVE TO see the Halo movie? Dang it.

[bapenguin]

Merged threads.

The news on WETA doing effects is awesome!

[luigiatlarge]

peter jackson is a douchebag. and halo sucks. i agree that the special FX will be good though.

[Knite]

Now all we need is a decent director signed on, and the hype machine will be like the motion wave cannon on the Starblazer's ship....

[Orphiuchus]

Gah.... GAH! Halo is NOT A GOOD GAME! Its story is NOT GOOD! Why cant anyone else see this! Ahh... AHHHHHHH!!!!

*pop*

*falls over dead of a massive stroke*

[fitbabits]

peter jackson is a douchebag. and halo sucks. i agree that the special FX will be good though.
And you're off and running, long may it continue.

Do me a favor, though - give me some substantive reasoning for your assertions.

[Knite]

Gah.... GAH! Halo is NOT A GOOD GAME! Its story is NOT GOOD! Why cant anyone else see this! Ahh... AHHHHHHH!!!!

*pop*

*falls over dead of a massive stroke*


Maybe because some of us have a different opinion and actually LIKE the story and background of the Halo universe?

Oh wait... talking to a dead guy... right...


*kicks the corpse*

[fitbabits]

Gah.... GAH! Halo is NOT A GOOD GAME! Its story is NOT GOOD! Why cant anyone else see this! Ahh... AHHHHHHH!!!!

*pop*

*falls over dead of a massive stroke*
Code blue. I repeat, CODE BLUE! Someone get this man a glass of 'water'.

[Rakael]

*Chong Voice* Thats not water maaan, thats fuckin vookda!

[TheKeck]

peter jackson is a douchebag. and halo sucks. i agree that the special FX will be good though.

Halo sucks. And Peter Jackson is freaking amazing. The prospect of a welldone video game movie adaption, whether it be a game I like or not, has me enthralled.

(I've shared my opinions, who's next?)

[Abednigo]

Screw Halo, where's The Hobbit!!!??

[fitbabits]

*Chong Voice* Thats not water maaan, thats fuckin vookda!
Thank you! :D

[Mason]

Yeah, put your pants back on, for all we know they'll get Uwe Boll to actually direct it.

[Thumper]

I like the sound of it so far. 28 Days Later was a damn good movie, and of course the LOTR series wasn't to shabby itself. Now they need a good Master Chief.

let me be the first to nominate: THE ROCK!!!

Jokes aside, if they actually get a decent director this movie could be amazing.

[fitbabits]

Screw Halo, where's The Hobbit!!!??
You just stood on him, you heartless bastard! :D

[Knite]

let me be the first to nominate: THE ROCK!!!


Honestly? Wouldn't suprise me. Nor would I be upset by it. I like his on screen presence.

I'm kinda suprised how often I see people say "Not the Rock!" or "Not Vin!" but don't have any suggestion instead of them? I say Rock and Vin are fine by me. =P

[Vandenh]

Un Fucking Believable!

[Rakael]

The Rock I can live with, and even enjoy. Vin can carry his ass back to being a super space samurai or whatever. Oh, wait...shit.

[TheKeck]

Yeah, put your pants back on, for all we know they'll get Uwe Boll to actually direct it.

Considering the care that these people are going to in order to TRY and ensure that they don't butcher Halo, I would say that Uwe Boll is an impossible choice for director. I'm not saying that it won't still suck, but they just couldn't POSSIBLY or even IMAGINABLY be that stupid.

[TheKeck]

Honestly? Wouldn't suprise me. Nor would I be upset by it. I like his on screen presence.

I'm kinda suprised how often I see people say "Not the Rock!" or "Not Vin!" but don't have any suggestion instead of them? I say Rock and Vin are fine by me. =P

Are people assuming that we'll even see Master Chief's face? (Correct me if I'm wrong here, I certainly haven't played all of Halo), but isn't he always just in that suit? Maybe they'll stick to that for the movie. In that case, it's all about the voice, eh?

[Ludoc]

I hope they pull a Darth Vader, original series, and just keep him in the suit the whole movie. Get a decent voice actor to play him and put a stunt man in the costume.

If they wanted to be real thry could have the voice actors from the game do the voices of the Chief and Cortana.

[Fonz]

Hmm do you know what an actual job of a Producer is in a film? He signs off stuff that needs to be signed off, thats about it, 90% the creativity and vision comes from the director. Peter jackson is a strong figure in the film industry, but whether or not this film will be good because hes a Producer is very lighty dependant on each other.

[emperordahc]

Holy Crap. Buying The Movie And All Its Merchandice Now.

[Zanzibar]

Ok, my hopes for this movie just went through the roof. Sadly, it will never live up to my expectations now.

Amen.

Just for kicks:

Cortana needs to be someone who is smart as hell. She can't be some robo-babe that can't act. So Jessica Alba is OUT - sorry guys.

Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, Heather Graham? Other ideas?

[DoubleUranium]

Are people assuming that we'll even see Master Chief's face? (Correct me if I'm wrong here, I certainly haven't played all of Halo), but isn't he always just in that suit? Maybe they'll stick to that for the movie. In that case, it's all about the voice, eh?

Look at the Doom movie though - if they have an actor they want in the movie, they'll just make up a role for him. The Rock will be the sarge in Halo too, another character you barely remember from the game at all, but he'll get 70% of the screen time.

[Abednigo]

Robot babes who can't act.

Angelina Jolie, Heather Graham

Can I say it again? WHAT ABOUT THE HOBBIT!?!?! :mad:

[TheKeck]

Look at the Doom movie though - if they have an actor they want in the movie, they'll just make up a role for him. The Rock will be the sarge in Halo too, another character you barely remember from the game at all, but he'll get 70% of the screen time.

That's possible, but a different point than I was trying to make, I think.

[TheKeck]

Hmm do you know what an actual job of a Producer is in a film? He signs off stuff that needs to be signed off, thats about it, 90% the creativity and vision comes from the director. Peter jackson is a strong figure in the film industry, but whether or not this film will be good because hes a Producer is very lighty dependant on each other.

Normally, I would agree with you, but when I read the enthusiasm Jackson has for the project and the fact that all the WETA stuff will be at Halo's disposal, I think it makes a bigger difference.

[bapenguin]

Hmm do you know what an actual job of a Producer is in a film? He signs off stuff that needs to be signed off, thats about it, 90% the creativity and vision comes from the director. Peter jackson is a strong figure in the film industry, but whether or not this film will be good because hes a Producer is very lighty dependant on each other.

Not true...executive producers have a lot of say in the creative direction of a movie. A director will often consult with the executive producers on things...producers supply a lot of the money for the movie ya know. :)

[Malovech]

Considering the care that these people are going to in order to TRY and ensure that they don't butcher Halo, I would say that Uwe Boll is an impossible choice for director. I'm not saying that it won't still suck, but they just couldn't POSSIBLY or even IMAGINABLY be that stupid.

How can you butcher Halo? It's a retarded video game story. There is a reason video game movie's suck- they're stupid!

[Roc Ingersol]

Ditto common sense above: leave the helmet on, and get a good voice actor.
Hell, keeping Steve Downes would be fine.

I'm thinking a HALO movie would work best with a non-Master Chief story lead anyway. Someone who won't have the helmet on, who isn't so much a mythical figure. i.e. someone who they can take through the Hollywood protag checklist without destroying the Master Chief character.

[Knite]

I don't think there's a snoball's chance they'll leave the helmet on the whole movie.
Why?
Because human beings feel more for other human beings. Facial reaction is a strong element in trying to create a bond between the main character, and the audience. Without that bond, who really gives a S@#$ what happens to the main character?

John, Spartan 117 will be non-helmeted. Bank on it.

[XenonCJ]

Well at least they are bringing in veteran game-movie director Uwe Boll. Should be good.

[Citizen Philip]

I respect that fact that Peter Jackson is validating that the fiction in computer games is suitable for creating movies from. It has been done before, I'll grant you: But Peter Jackson is the first director to make a 'fantasy' movie into a mainstream hit.

I don't know if this is good or bad, but I'll welcome the change in perception and see where it goes. Next stop, Half-life?

Let's be honest here, Hollywood does an excellent job of making shit, they don't need to start mining computer games to make even more shit, they can do it more adeptly than anyone else.

I hope this does not become a marketing trend, as the age of the average gamer increases, games become tie-ins to bad movies or vice versa.

[TheKeck]

How can you butcher Halo? It's a retarded video game story. There is a reason video game movie's suck- they're stupid!

There is a reason video game movie's suck- the people who make them have your mentality.

"This is just some stupid video game; we can't possibly make anything of merit out of it. Just schlock some crap together and the fans will cream themselves to get a piece of it."

I don't buy that crap. The fault that video game movies suck lies squarely upon the shoulders of the people who make these films, and not on their source material. I mean, shoot, I loved the original Mortal Kombat movie, and that's based off a game with no credible story to speak of.

[TheKeck]

I hope this does not become a marketing trend, as the age of the average gamer increases, games become tie-ins to bad movies or vice versa.

You hope this doen't BECOME a marketing trend???? I think you can speak in the past tense on that one. :(

[Ernst_Jager]

I think Eric Bana would be the only person I would be happy with playing Master Chief.

[Roc Ingersol]

You hope this doen't BECOME a marketing trend???? I think you can speak in the past tense on that one. :(
No shit, how many news items are between this and the EA/Superman Returns post?

Please, Citizen Phil, say that was sarcasm.

[Morratut]

Awesome news.

I would prefer it if you didn't see the master chiefs face. However if they did show it i would prefer him not to be uber good looking and a typical hollywood actor. I would prefer John to be humble and normal looking underneath the helmet.

I also hope they keep the original voices.

[Zeal]

All is lost.

[Citizen Philip]

No shit, how many news items are between this and the EA/Superman Returns post?

Please, Citizen Phil, say that was sarcasm.

I'll elaborate: I don't want to see games and movies are made simutaneously to be released for specific demographics. Sure, we are seeing movies and games based on the same subject with both reasonable and unreasonable attempts at continuity...

hmm.. okay yeah I see what you mean. How's this:

I do not want to see ANOTHER shitty Hollywood movie: When you go to pick it up at Blockbuster/EB and the game/movie comes standard with the movie/game. Both of which are shitty, and the production houses for both games and movies are the same.

I'm talking a whole new world of shitty.

[Zanzibar]

Ooh. Keira Knightley as Cortana.

[TheKeck]

I'll elaborate: I don't want to see games and movies are made simutaneously to be released for specific demographics. Sure, we are seeing movies and games based on the same subject with both reasonable and unreasonable attempts at continuity...

hmm.. okay yeah I see what you mean. How's this:

I do not want to see ANOTHER shitty Hollywood movie: When you go to pick it up at Blockbuster/EB and the game/movie comes standard with the movie/game. Both of which are shitty, and the production houses for both games and movies are the same.

I'm talking a whole new world of shitty.

All right, you are forgiven. ;)

[Thin_J]

I don't think there's a snoball's chance they'll leave the helmet on the whole movie.
Why?
Because human beings feel more for other human beings. Facial reaction is a strong element in trying to create a bond between the main character, and the audience. Without that bond, who really gives a S@#$ what happens to the main character?

John, Spartan 117 will be non-helmeted. Bank on it.

He most certainly did remove his helmet in the books. Hell, I'd be happy if they started the movie with flashbacks of how he went from a kid in school to a cybernetically altered soldier in a suit over the course of a few years of training.

And the material is already there and written in The Fall of Reach, which Bungie wholly approves of.

Regardless, it's got my hopes up as well. If Jackson is there he can at least rule out really stupid decisions from a production standpoint.

I think they can pull it off with the right director.

I would prefer it if you didn't see the master chiefs face. However if they did show it i would prefer him not to be uber good looking and a typical hollywood actor. I would prefer John to be humble and normal looking underneath the helmet.

I also hope they keep the original voices.

As for that, in the books he was an average looking redheaded dude. And for the voice, they could find someone with a similiar voice to play the chief, and then use the original voice when he has his helmet on.

I don't know. I'm trying here.

[Roc Ingersol]

I don't think there's a snoball's chance they'll leave the helmet on the whole movie.
Not if he's the main dramatic character. But he doesn't need to be, and frankly, he shouldn't be.
So there's still a chance they can do it right.

I'm talking a whole new world of shitty.
I didn't know they stacked shit that high.

[ÜberJumper]

Eric Bana! Excellent idea for MC!

I agree on the face needing to be shown. But more than likely, they'll go the route of having his faceplate go transparent or something along those lines.

A large part of Halo's backstory though is how these kids were abducted from their parents and turned into cyborg super soldiers, shunned yet highly respected and valued by their fellow members of the military.

[bapenguin]

I REALLY hope they do Fall of Reach/Halo storyline. Fall of Reach was such a fun book.

[Karmakaze]

let me be the first to nominate: THE ROCK!!!


For Director? ...

[Pigeon]

Hooray! *glee*

[Chagrinful]

Well Uwe Boll would do the shity halo some justice, he'd be like adding class to it instantly. Its funny to see all the halo fanbois here swoon over Jackson's greasy cock, gotta remember THE FRIGHTENERS! AND Who could ever ever forget Meet the Feebles! Its not a urban legend he made a movie about muppets fucking each other with their huge muppet genitals. LOTR was good sure, but he some how left all the vigor and excitement out of the battle sequences, I mean only a really shitty director could make those huge sieges dull and lifeless and overall boring, but he managed!

[doyama]

you have to remember that Executive Producer title means you don't have as much creative control over the project. You're basically just 'dumping money' onto it. The title of "Producer" in the movie industry is very specific in that you have direct control over the creative process of the movie. Executive producers have much less power or are barely part of the project looking more for the residuals and such.

So don't expect the kind of epic dedication to the Halo movie. Remember he's still doing King Kong while simultaneously doing Son of Kong as well!! He won't have time to care about how Halo is doing to be honest

[XenonCJ]

I vote MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN to play Cortana...

[doyama]

On a side note about Uwe Bole

http://www.loadingreadyrun.com/showmovie.php?x=480&y=360&url=uweboll.mp4&name=PSA:+Uwe%20Boll

incredibly amusing! :)

[Achilles]

This is the best news I could have hoped for as far as producer and special effects could go. Here’s hoping they get Cameron, Ridley Scott or somebody else amazing to direct it.

I’ll throw in my vote for Kurt Russell as the Master Chief, Samuel L Jackson for Sergeant Johnson, and Milla Jovovich as Cortana, or Lexa Doig so she can be forever typecast as a holographic representation of a Fleet AI.

Actually I’d be fine with the stuntman/original MC voice-over plan.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Russel Crowe for MC.
He wouldn't even need a gun.
He could just go apeshit and throw crap at the covenant.

[Kagger]

You guys are totally missing the point:

HALO: The Movie: THE GAME

Lady's and gentlemen...HALO 3


/Sarcasm

[Xerxes]

Amen.

Just for kicks:

Cortana needs to be someone who is smart as hell. She can't be some robo-babe that can't act. So Jessica Alba is OUT - sorry guys.

Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, Heather Graham? Other ideas?

Two words, Lexa Doig :o

[Xerxes]

I respect that fact that Peter Jackson is validating that the fiction in computer games is suitable for creating movies from. It has been done before, I'll grant you: But Peter Jackson is the first director to make a 'fantasy' movie into a mainstream hit.


Whoa Whoa Whoa... First fantasy mainstream hit? Are you forgetting Hecules in New York.

[Xerxes]

I vote MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN to play Cortana...

He'd make a good brute...

[Kelegacy]

Is something wrong with me? Am I not nerdy enough to care? Am I a troll?

Because I don't give a shit. If Jerry Bruckheimer was producing I'd care about the exact same amount. The way I feel about videogames becoming movies is the same I feel about them becoming novelizations: Boo.

[AbeLincoln]

Along the same lines as the master chief stuntman/voice actor why dont they just do a CG hologram with the voice actor for cortana? She is supposed to be computer generated right.

[Everlost_MI]

Not trolling or slumming or whatever...but I feel this is just the latest Hollywood rage. For awhile H'wood was really hot over comic book based flicks and now it's swinging to video game based flicks. Sure there have always been one or two comic or video game based flicks but now there is a surge with Doom, Halo, Resident Evil, Alone In The Dark, Bloodrayne, & Dungeon Seige.

[Zeal]

Is it just me or was X05 a complete bust?

[raVen]

So don't expect the kind of epic dedication to the Halo movie. Remember he's still doing King Kong while simultaneously doing Son of Kong as well!! He won't have time to care about how Halo is doing to be honest

The Son of Kong thing was a joke... I think it was done for April fools.

[Vandenh]

>Meet the Feebles

Dude... that movie was awesome!

[Malovech]

I don't buy that crap. The fault that video game movies suck lies squarely upon the shoulders of the people who make these films, and not on their source material. I mean, shoot, I loved the original Mortal Kombat movie, and that's based off a game with no credible story to speak of.


You have got to be kidding. Video games at their best are sad knock-offs of better stories from literature and film. The only reason this movie is being made has to do with the changing face of demographics (our geek generation is getting older) and the fact that men ages 18-34 would rather play Halo 2 then watch TV.

A game's storyline will always be secondary to it's actual gameplay (if it's a good game); simply there to add some flavour and mood. If you actually strip the story out you realize how silly it really is. And if you go the other route and make the story heavy handed, structured and invasive (like say a movie script) then you lose freedom of will and it becomes a canned, boring experience (a bad game).

Also Mortal Kombat? Are you insane? That's worse than a Steven Segal movie, come on at least pick a half-decent example. Oh wait...there aren't any.

[Malovech]

>Meet the Feebles

Dude... that movie was awesome!

Also don't forget Forgotten Silver, an excellent film-geek mockumentary and the greatest movie Peter Jackson has ever made Dead Alive (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103873)!