An update on Halo movie

A live-action adaptation of Microsoft’s Halo has long been in development. The film almost got off the ground a few years back when Niel Blomkamp (District 9) was attached, but fell apart after the studio felt the film wouldn’t sell. There’s been no news on the status of the film, but Microsoft is apparently still interested.

Variety spoke with Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor about the franchise, and progress on the film. “We’re still interested in making an excellent ‘Halo’ movie,” O’Connor said.  Microsoft is still looking at scripts written by Alex Garland, Stuart Beattie, D.B. Weiss and Josh Olson to use for the film. However, they aren’t moving forward with it until they have a good reason to do so. “We’ve created an awful lot of documentation and materials to support a feature film. We have a good idea of what kind of story we want to tell, but won’t move on it until there’s a great reason to do it,” he said.

While the games are still very popular right now, Microsoft is in no hurry to make it. “We’re in no particular hurry,” O’Connor said. But given Hollywood’s track record on video-game adaptations, it may be a better idea to not rush the film. And while most adaptations are basically a re-telling of the game, Microsoft is looking to make this film a stand alone story. They’re are also “intently watching” the TV landscape with the idea of creating a television series.