Master Chief in live-action?
$10 Mil Price-Tag for Halo Script
According to Variety,
Microsoft has been sending messengers dressed in the same garb as the Master
Chief from Halo to work out negotiations with various film studios
on the purchase of the newly finished Halo movie script. As previously
mentioned, it cost Microsoft one-million to have the script developed; so
what the heck do they now want for it? Well, being the master of investments,
Microsoft demands are nothing short of extraordinary.
Here are some of the demands that were laid down
by Microsoft for the Halo script that I like. First, Microsoft
will have some type of hands on with the film, to ensure that the film remains
close to the look and storyline delivered in the X-Box game. Second, and
most importantly, Microsoft plans to have the actual game developers create
a 'Halo Bible' that the selected studio must follow. This will allow the
studio to have some room for changes in the Halo story, but the
main concepts set in the Halo universe must remain; concepts that
will all be laid out in this so-called 'bible.' Actually, I really like
the idea of a 'Halo Bible,' as it will ensure that Halo gamers
and fans, representing a huge market, will be able to relax knowing the
universe they have grown accustomed to will not change. How many times have
you watched an adaptation of your favorite book and have been utterly disappointed?
Sphere and Timeline come right to mind, but that's me.
Now, here are some of the demands that may cause all studios to pass on
the purchase of the Halo script. First, the initial price tag for
the script is a whopping ten-million dollars [great investment by Microsoft!];
a script that few have even been able to read yet. But it doesn't stop there;
Microsoft and Bungie want this cash cow to MOO! Besides the ten-million
dollar price tag, Microsoft demands 15% of the gross profits on the Halo
movie if it were to be made. Whoa! So, does the studio who actually works
their butt off to make this picture get anything?
And, to top it off with what some may consider good news, Microsoft wants
principle production for a Halo film to begin in January of 2006.
That means the search must begin for a cast shortly and we would be hearing
cast announcements as early as August.
However, no matter how crazy the tag is for the Halo script, it
is most likely good news to the tons of Halo gamers, myself included,
that would love to see Master Chief kick alien-ass in live-action.
My early predictions for Halo: if negotiated correctly, 20th Century
Fox will pick it up and set Ridley Scott or James Cameron to direct. Well,
that would be a GREAT start.
Stay tuned for more developments as they happen.
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