Halo movie version too rich for Fox and Universal Pictures?

Looks like you have to wait a while for the movie version of the best-selling Halo video game. According to a report by Variety (you know, the bible of Hollywood) both Fox and Universal Pictures backed out of the project to be produced by Peter Jackson.

Officially, the reason for the pull-out was that the budget had risen above the original US$135 million to an astounding US$200 million. Jackson denied the runaway budget, saying that although it is higher than planned, it’s not by that much.

So whats the real deal? Movie insider buzz claims the two studios tried to convince MS and Jackson to settle for a lesser slice of the profit pie but failed. The project is far from being a casualty of a business war, however. Microsoft isn’t wasting any time and is already in talks with other distribution partners. Jackson is currently doing Halo‘s pre-production at his visual effects studios in New Zealand.

The movie version of Halo takes place on an artificial ring-world called “Halo” where a marine captain, his surviving marines, and the genetically-and-surgically-enhanced Master Chief crash-landed. The team’s mission is to find out what the genocidal aliens known as the Covenant are doing on the ring. But Halo also holds more secrets than either side imagined. At least that’s what the scriptwriters said.

The movie is set to be released in 2008 and has yet to cast its stars. Hobbits, elves, fairies and giant apes need not attend the cattle call.

Looks like you have to wait a while for the movie version of the best-selling Halo video game. According to a report by Variety (you know, the bible of Hollywood) both Fox and Universal Pictures backed out of the project to be produced by Peter Jackson.

Officially, the reason for the pull-out was that the budget had risen above the original US$135 million to an astounding US$200 million. Jackson denied the runaway budget, saying that although it is higher than planned, it’s not by that much.

So whats the real deal? Movie insider buzz claims the two studios tried to convince MS and Jackson to settle for a lesser slice of the profit pie but failed. The project is far from being a casualty of a business war, however. Microsoft isn’t wasting any time and is already in talks with other distribution partners. Jackson is currently doing Halo‘s pre-production at his visual effects studios in New Zealand.

The movie version of Halo takes place on an artificial ring-world called “Halo” where a marine captain, his surviving marines, and the genetically-and-surgically-enhanced Master Chief crash-landed. The team’s mission is to find out what the genocidal aliens known as the Covenant are doing on the ring. But Halo also holds more secrets than either side imagined. At least that’s what the scriptwriters said.

The movie is set to be released in 2008 and has yet to cast its stars. Hobbits, elves, fairies and giant apes need not attend the cattle call.