Movie Chronicles » Studios

Squabbling amongst the studios

Halo — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:46:20 +0000

Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that Fox and Universal are fighting over the $12m Halo movie pre-production costs, the slew of the problems come as Fox refuse to pay for the split costs 50–50, claiming that Universal studios should have asked permission to split these costs beforehand. In response, Universal are threatening to sue Fox to force them to pay what they believe they rightfully should.

It’s all quite funny.

Halo Movie Officially Postponed

Halo — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:43:07 +0000

Well, given the previous statements concerning the movie’s continued progress this is most definitely a shot to the gut. The official statement via Peter Jackson and Microsoft’s WingNut Films goes like this:

As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement. At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen. We are fully supportive of Director Neill Blomkamp’s vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker Academy-Awards and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait.

Please note POSTPONED does NOT mean canceled. So many news articles claimed Game Over for the Halo movie, it’s not over, it’s an unfortunate set back.

AintitCool’s Quint also has a commentary on this predicament.
ComingSoon — Further coverage.

The difficulty of finding a new studio

Halo — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:41:13 +0000

Variety has a new article discussing the issues and problems Microsoft now faces with regards to finding a studio and partner to fund and take the risk for the Halo movie adaptation.

The key studios:

Sony — As a huge rival to Microsoft this is simply not an option.
New Line — Continued disputes between Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the studio over “Lord of the Rings” proceeds make any deal unlikely.
Disney — Chief shareholder is Steve Jobs, CEO of another Microsoft rival Apple.
WB — Maybe interested but have had a difficult financial year and may not be willing to front the risk.
Dreamworks — A lonely option.
Paramount — Another name not tied down to a rival of Microsoft.
Microsoft could go it alone, this would give them the best deal when it comes to profits and proceeds yet they would also have to face all the risk involved with the project.

Microsoft comments on Studio Withdrawal

Halo — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 19:40:17 +0000

Direct from a Bungie announcement, Microsoft’s official statement:

“We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal. But the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same — to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality. We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide.”

Bungie continues on to note a feeling of optimism, happiness and satisfaction — for reasons they cannot go into:

“Frankly we’re interested in making the best movie, and it’s possible that a partner who’s more concerned with numbers, might not be the best partner for what’s more vitally a creative process. Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process. […] when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little.”

Looks like our courageous creative team are still working on churning out the best adaptation possible. The Halo movie is most definately not cancelled, as many other publications hastened to point out.

Studios pull out of Halo Movie

Halo — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:38:33 +0000

Variety is reporting that both Universal and Fox have pulled out of the Halo project, citing high and rising costs as their primary reason for their actions whilst the relative inexperience of announced director Neill Blomkamp is another speculative cause.The two companies were set to co-finance the live action adaptation of the game series and had agreed a deal worth $135 million. The abrupt withdrawal of the finance came when the studios attempted to reduce the “profit participation” of Microsoft, Bungie and the filmmakers, Variety dubs this a hardball tactic. In order to continue with the film this demand had to be met, (a demand that was made at the very last moment before an agreed upon deadline). Peter and Fran, after liaising with Microsoft and Bungie, declined the proposal. And so the companies parted ways.

Rumors of the budget increasing to more than $200 million have been circulating also, although filmmakers state that they have been working towards and within the originally announced budget:

“The only budget the filmmakers ever 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,” Kamins said. “That was the only number that was ever discussed.

Microsoft is already in talks with other distribution partners and preparation for the movie will continue. Most of this development is at Peter Jackson’s Weta effects studios in New Zealand, so delays should be small.

Is the dream of a perfect adaptation over? Kamins states that they expect the movie to continue into production with all “creative partners intact”.

New Zealand News Broadcast with comments by Peter Jackson:

The old agreement:
Funding and the companies involved: Towards the end of August ’05 the precise deal Microsoft and the production studios had agreed to was announced. Many studios turned down Microsoft’s A-list offer, this was due to hefty requirements set by the software king: “$10 million against 15 percent of the gross (whichever is higher), a below-the-line budget of $75 million (budget before hiring actors and crew), near-immediate production ofand a large say in the creative development of the movie.” Fox and Universal studios agreed to co-operatively take on the project paying Microsoft $5 million against 10 percent of the gross. Universal will control the production and American distribution whilst Fox will oversee all international distribution.

Other news resources:
Voodoo Extreme: http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/740/740672p1.html
Aint it Cool News: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30460
CinemaBlend: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Halo-Is-Mostly-Dead-3675.html
CanMag: http://www.canmag.com/news/4/3/5472
Joystiq: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/game-over-for-halo-movie/