Why we willl not see the film on Halo game?
In Wired magazine published a long article, which has analyzed reasons that prevented adaptation of the game Halo, which was planning to shoot Neil Blomkamp under the control of producer Peter Jackson. The main problem lies in the fact that Microsoft does not understand the principles of Hollywood.
Text of Wired is an excerpt from the book by Jamie Russell "Generation XBOX: How video games took over Hollywood." Because the text is very large, will highlight the main points.
Microsoft aggressively pushing Halo to the big screen. The company could realize that the game is an ideal material for blockbuster. High-octane action game based on the mythology of a decent, full of special effects and has a huge fun team - is not a dream for Hollywood? The first two parts separated by Halo world with a circulation of 13 million copies, earning a total of over 600 million over four years.
Legal details of the transaction engaged in agency CAA. Pitching has been unprecedented. With the knowledge of all the majors (Universal, Fox, New Line, DreamWorks), June 6, 2005 CAA sent a courier to the offices, uniformed Master Chifa, a soldier of the future of the game. Each arrived at the studio and delivered by Alex Garland script, which was given to the reading of 24 hours. For each scenario, accompanied by the paper on which was written, how much Microsoft wants for filming, someone must take the director and was put the necessary condition, required to immediately start the film in production.
All the studios, except for one, tried to bargain. Only the script came from Fox with a "Yes." As a result, the studio has agreed to merge with Universal - co-financing has helped to overcome the costly picture. Fox took over international distribution, while Universal has got to bed. Signed agreement is unparalleled to this day. Studios managed to negotiate a purchase option for $ 5 million and 10% of the final fees.
What is not taken into account in Microsoft, so it is that Hollywood will not dance to their tune. According to Russell, in order to reduce the reluctance of Microsoft terms of the contract, they will have to kill the movie. In particular, the company is required to retain the approval of the director and cast, plus 60 tickets for the little things first class for the staff of Microsoft and their guests at the premiere.
Microsoft saw only the director Peter Jackson. However, he failed to press: the director took only for producing, offering, as directed by his protege - the author of "Area number 9," Neil Blomkamp. Of course, this decision led to Jackson's enthusiasm for Microsoft. At that time, Blomkamp has on his account only the short film "Surviving in Yoburge", which spawned the famous film about aliens. But since Halo is launched in the design, the company had to accept the candidacy of the Nile. In addition, the studios were happy to get the cheapest producer - Jackson.
The process has moved. Jackson's company Weta Workshop has worked on the creation of dummy weapons, vehicles and developed the armor for the heroes. The resulting test short films form the basis of advertising the game Halo 3: Landfall. Get close to the film so close and failed.
Blomkamp himself recalls with horror these days. Collision with majors turned to the young director's nightmare. "Instinct told me that if you stir up a hornets' nest, nothing good will come, and here from the very beginning it was..." The studio did not like the direction in which Blomkamp moved. "The fact that I was playing Halo and playing video games - the director says. - I represent a generation for whom this film was made, and there are people who are much older! My version of Halo would be unrealistic to cool! It was much fresher than bushing boring fighters like "Throw Cobra" who are so fond of sculpting in Hollywood. "
As a result, Blomkamp vowed that never again will work with the studio Fox - went so far as it conflicts with its head Tim Rothman. "They are beginning to treat me like shit", - the Nile. Not surprisingly, his second full-length studio project is afoot to Sony.
On the other hand, Blomkamp pressured guys from Microsoft with his "creative control". After paying for the Garland script, written at the request, Microsoft is not going to deviate from the written one iota. Universal miraculously managed to recruit three of the writers, who polished the text, but those cost a pretty penny - in the preparatory development of the film have invested $ 12 million.
Because of the constant delays associated with the creative process and the lack of money, work went slowly. In October 2006, it was time to pay the filmmakers and Microsoft. The costs were so high that Universal demanded to reduce the fee of producers. Jackson refused, took Blomkamp and in November of 2007 went to do "District number 9". There were no money for further development. A screen adaptation of Halo covered copper basin. The end of the film.
Video Games - a sore spot in Hollywood. On the one hand, Mr. Anderson is issuing this year, another "Resident Evil", the fall comes the second "Silent Hill", in front is rebut of "Lara Croft", but the mass of the projects on the game is in limbo. Why do video games do not come to Hollywood? The unequivocal answer is still no.