A couple weeks be we reported that Universal and Fox had backed out of financing and producing a big screen adaption of the hit Microsoft video game Halo. Well now it appears the film has been put indefinitely on hold.
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 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.
It appears that the movie studios weren't completely confident in Neill Blomkamp's direction. At least not enough to risk hundreds of millions of dollars on his first film. I guess there's a difference when you're an JJ Abrams (M:I:III). The screenplay, originally penned by Alex Garland (28 Days Later...) and rewritten by D.B. Weiss (Ender's Game). The movie was to have another rewrite by Josh Olson (A History of Violence). Three writers on a project is never a good sign.
HALO was targeted for a summer 2008 release. I wouldn't expect it for at least five years.