Any speculation about whether the upcoming Halo film would be done using computer graphics (as the Final Fantasy film was done) or using live actors (persumably mixed with some CG effects) was quickly put to rest by a front page article in the Dominion Post, a New Zealand newspaper. A scan of this past Thursday's front page of the Wellington edition was submitted in the HBO forum by Spitvalve.
More details on the Halo movie front today. The Register opines that the involvement of Peter Jackson is just window dressing; Louis Wu at HBO points out the lack of whining on the grapevine, as well as quotes from Jackson in a Reuters story, as evidence to the contrary.
Traditional media are picking up on the announcement that Peter Jackson will be the executive producer on the upcoming halo feature film.
Sometimes the rumor mill gets it right-- or at least nearly so. Previous rumors about Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the upcoming King Kong, taking the helm of the Halo film have turned out to be almost correct. He is on board, as Joe Staten's post at Bungie.net now confirms, but as Executive Producer rather than director.
Add another name to the list of directors who are not doing the Halo movie: Peter Jackson.
GameSpot's Rumor Control busts reports that the Halo movie will be directed by Jackson. Despite someone calling themselves "Marty the Elder" on a Uwe Boll fansite making this claim, Universal says Jackson is not doing the film.
...at least, this one better be a lie. Joystiq points out that IMDB's entry for the upcoming big-screen Halo movie now indicates it will be directed by Uwe Boll, despite assurances of late from Bungie that the list of potential directors was strictly A-list. Many commenters on the Joystiq story point out that information at IMDB about projects in progress has historically been inaccurate.
Spotted by HBO, an article by Variety says Halo is hitting the big screen in 2007, and while Microsoft (and thus, we assume, Bungie) will be "guaranteed extensive consultation on the project" it will not have final approval on anything.
For various reasons it's been hard for me to keep up with news posting lately; many thanks to trav himself (formerly Sistimatic) for picking up the slack. Here are some recent items of note:
Kotaku is spreading the rumor that Fox and Universal are going to split the costs for the Halo movie script (about $5 million) and try to have the film out in 2007. (Here's hoping it doesn't suck--Ed.)
According to rumor, Microsoft developed and Alex Garland wrote a Halo movie script that was shopped to Hollywood studios yesterday by couriers in Master Chief suits. (Perhaps the Nightmare Armor guys got some work? --Ed.) Apparently, though, the reaction was not that positive.
Halo Babies today comments on who we definitely don't want directing a Halo movie (if there is one). Thanks mrsmiley.
The Master Chief has actually already made his Hollywood debut, appearing in theaters in the cinematic trailer that kicked off the I Love Bees phenomenon. But now it appears as if the long-time question, "wouldn't a Halo movie be cool" might soon end up having a real, definitive answer.
Between Marathon's tenth anniversary and this Christmas thing coming up, there's lots to do, necessitating Yet Another News Roundup: