ROTTEN TOMATOES: "Halo" Floating Toward the Big Screen

"Halo" Floating Toward the Big Screen

by RT Staff | February 04, 2005

Discuss Article | Blog Article | Email To A Friend

Microsoft is close to finalizing terms with writer Alex Garland to script a film based upon the "Halo" video games, Variety reports. The game is one of the most popular in the industry's history, but Microsoft has not licensed the film rights thus far, fearing a poor adaptation could hurt the franchise. Thus, the script will be completed and then shopped to studios when Microsoft is satisfied. Garland has also scripted "28 Days Later" and "The Beach."

Related Items

Movie:	The Beach
Celeb:	Alex Garland

(1-20 of 31 posts) | Reply

ChickenWing89 writes:
on Feb 04 2005 02:26 PM

[b]Ridley Scott[/b]
If i'm not mistaken, isn't Ridley Scott (the director of Gladiator) supposed to direct it?

(Reply to this)

kenporules writes:
on Feb 04 2005 04:49 PM

I hope so, Chicken. It'll be nice to see a decent game~movie, but chances are this won't turn out well. That won't stop me from anticipating it though! I mean, I read the first book in the series and it was surprisingly excellent (despite the embarrassing XBOX logos plastered all over it), so anything is possible.

(Reply to this)

Mainevent writes:
on Feb 04 2005 07:11 PM

[b]NOOOOOO!!!![/b]
Personally, I hope they don't make this movie. The books are good enough as it is, and really get you involved in the characters and backstory of the universe. This movie would most likely turn out very poorly, and although I'd have to see it, would probably suck. But I hold out hope that competent writers, actors, and directors are found and used if they do have to make one.

(Reply to this)

Ophiuchus writes:
on Feb 04 2005 07:35 PM

[b]Hmmm...[/b]
...let me guess. Who reckons they'll replace the villains with zombies created by a super virus, set it on Mars, and take out any references to Hell and demons because- oops. Sorry. I was thinking about the 'Doom' movie.

(Reply to this)

ASchmitty writes:
on Feb 04 2005 08:05 PM

[b]Not good.[/b]
This is a big mistake. What video game made into a movie has ever been a hit? Theres never been one. Most recently Alone in the dark was made. I heard that was one of the worst movies.....ever! Mostly because of Tara Reid. How would they make Halo into a movie anyways. The story mode in the game wasnt even that good. No offense to you halo fans out there.

(Reply to this)

VICVEGA06 writes:
on Feb 04 2005 09:01 PM

dudes, look who is writing, Alex Garland! Although the movie version sucks, the Beach is the most amazing book, and this guy is talented. I expect great things, and i personally dont even like halo, but Ill like this movie

(Reply to this)

Mainevent writes:
on Feb 04 2005 09:17 PM

[b]Well...[/b]
Well the story mode in the game didn't have much to work with, but the books are where its at. They're written intelligently, and feature wonderful characters and story arcs. They could definitely be maded into a movie. Neither Bungie nor Microsoft have actually verified this; so as of now its all speculation. I saw 28 Days Later, but I haven't seen The Beach, but I really hope they get someone very good, and don't just money it along. For once it would be nice to see someone actually show pride in their work.

(Reply to this)

Impavido writes:
on Feb 04 2005 10:24 PM

[b]Hope[/b]
I usually agree that most movies based on games are half-assed pieces of monkey shit..but this one keeps having minor details that intrique me or give me hope.

If Ridley Scott IS directing it..I will watch it, he is my favorite director. Maybe he can put a Blade Runner twist on what is already an interesting sci-fi setting and story.

There is always hope!

(Reply to this)

loudharley writes:
on Feb 05 2005 03:07 AM

This could possibly be the movie that ends bad videogame movies,but its a long shot.Hopefully they wont just throw some special effects money maker togather like alien vs predator just to get a big box office.If they get a good director ,actors and a good script ill go watch it.The game is awesome online and if they do half as good with the movie it will be great.

(Reply to this)

fatmc writes:
on Feb 05 2005 04:59 AM

I haven't played the game much, and haven't read the books either, but it sounds good. if microsoft really are affraid of it being another ball-sucking game to movie, then they'll problably will make sure it will be good.
we'll just have to wait and what the script turns out to be, and what actors, director, etc...are involved

(Reply to this)

Wollstonecraft writes:
on Feb 05 2005 06:42 AM

"The Beach" isn't something Garland should be bragging about.

(Reply to this)

NJ_HitMan writes:
on Feb 05 2005 08:22 AM

[b]Possible Actor[/b]
I heard that Samuel L. Jackson would play the sargent. I really hope that Master Chief's awesome voice would carry over into the movie, not an immitation. Making a good movie out of a videogame is unheard of, but I still have some hope. I really hope if and when they make this movie, that it sets the standard for every video game turned movie.

(Reply to this)

ChickenWing89 writes:
on Feb 05 2005 09:23 AM

[b]Halo is a big franchise[/b]
To me, it seems like Halo is too big of a franchise to just throw at any scriptor or director.

Microsoft and Bungie aren't stupid -- I don't believe they'd throw this out to anyone willing to buy the movie rights. This is one of the biggest game franchises ever to hit a console, let alone to go to the big screen.

I mean, think about it. The comic book movies started with Spiderman -- the most popular comic hero. If these videogame movies are ever going to start getting good, Halo is where its gonna start. The bigger the franchise, the bigger budget and director the movie is gonna have.

(Reply to this)

dgswensen writes:
on Feb 05 2005 12:19 PM

[b]There's no way this can lose[/b]
Seriously, when's the last time a movie based on a video game went horribly wrong?! Never, that's when! This is going to be GREAT! It would never suck!

(Reply to this)

Mainevent writes:
on Feb 05 2005 03:07 PM

If Ridley Scott directed, and they got someone other than Garland (frankly 28 Days Later and The Beach weren't very good) to write it , I would be more inclined to think it would rock. But whatever they do, don't give this to Paul W.S. Anderson or Uwe Boll....they are possibly the worst directors ever. There are low-budget, softcore porn movies out there better than the pieces of junk those two produce.

(Reply to this)

streetlax890 writes:
on Feb 05 2005 04:44 PM

Ridley Scott would be a hell of a director for this movie, but James Cameron could also pull this movie off if he does it like Aliens(which has some similarities to Halo) and T2... I'm not quite sold on Garland as a writer though, 28 Days Later was kind of bogus and it was a totally different type of movie

(Reply to this)

ksduded writes:
on Feb 05 2005 08:53 PM

Tomb Raider was the first video game based movie to be a hit... It made around 120 million at the domestic box office... and I think that Halo might just do the trick...

(Reply to this)

loudharley writes:
on Feb 06 2005 03:13 AM

I agree about james cameron ,he would be a great choice for directer,that is if he would choose to do it.Im hoping this movie gets treated respectfully ,cause im a pretty big fan of the game .A good movie adaption would be cool.

(Reply to this)

fatmc writes:
on Feb 06 2005 04:21 AM

james cameron is doing his "battle angle" movie. So I don't think we'll see him anywhere near this.
I agree that Garland, isn't the best, but I thought the beach and 28 days were ok. nothing great but watchable....

(Reply to this)

VICVEGA06 writes:
on Feb 06 2005 07:05 AM

ok well he may have written the screenplay for 28 dyas later, which wasnt even that bad. But he did not for the beach, he just wrote a kickass book, in fact, I suggest everyone picks up that book, its damn good. I have complete faith in garaland.

(Reply to this)