The movie version of Halo, based on a popular video game on Microsoft’s Xbox console, is now a film without a home. Both Universal Studio and Fox have dropped out in participating.
There seems to be some disagreement as to why the studios quit the project. But we can speculate the main reason is over the issue of money.
Rumours had swirled that the increasing budget may have been the source of the problem, but the filmmaking team, including producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, are saying that the companies tried to get them and Microsoft to reduce their profit share.
“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,” Jackson’s spokesman Ken Kamins told Variety.
“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 Bungie (the game’s designers), respectfully declined.”
Jackson and co – who was developing the film in New Zealand – will look into other studios. As for newcomer director of Neill Blomkamp, Kamins has full confidence in his ability: “Everybody is supremely confident in Neill.
“Part of what excited Peter and Fran was Neill’s vision. We’re very confident this film will move forward with the creative partners intact, who will take the film to production.”
Peter Jackson is now pitching this movie around every studio in Hollywood, hoping for an investment and backer.
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