Hollywood Rejects Video Game Adaptation

Guardian Unlimited reports that both Fox and Universal have withdrawn their commitments to the much-anticipated movie version of Microsoft's popular videogame, "Halo."

Apparently, the studios were attempting to lower the amount of money to be received by the videogame producers and creators, including Peter Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh. Microsoft and the studios refused to comply, failing to agree to terms by October 15, the pre-arranged deadline, that would present the games maker with a $5 million advance.

Despite rumors that the studios bailed due to budget costs, which are believed to be upwards of $145 million, Jackson and Walsh's representative, Ken Kamins, explains the real reason behind the pull-out, stating, "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 Bungee, respectfully declined."

However, Microsoft is now talking to other studios about possibly shooting the video game adaptation in 2007. Still, it is unlikely that New Line, DreamWorks, or Sony will pick up the project being that the first two initially declined it on the basis of its production cost, while the latter's PlayStation console rivals Microsoft's Xbox, which launched "Halo".