The latest news from the Halo/Halo 2 movie deal suggests that Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox teamed up to offer Microsoft an initial payment of USD 5 million plus 10 per cent of initial box office receipts. This deal is still not final, with neither party wishing to comment until next week.
If a deal is struck it would suggest a Microsoft victory over Hollywood as the computer giant definitely chose not to play by the rules set out by the big studios. MS hired writer Alex Garland, known for his work on the zombie 2003 hit 28 Days Later, to come up with the story. Microsoft and agents CAA then mailed their script to the studios and unleashed a barrage of demands, including a degree of creative control.
Microsoft spokesman Carlos de Leon mentioned that soon after the game's initial success in 2001, studios approached Microsoft for the rights to a Halo movie, but the company wanted to retain some form of control over the project. It was only natural that interest increased as Halo 2 sold 2.4 million units in its first day. Overall, the franchise has sold 13 million units worldwide, generating some USD 600 million in revenue. The interest alerted Microsoft to the possibilities and a plan begun to take shape. Microsoft is not in the business of making movies, and that is why we want to partner with the studios. (But) we have an obligation to make sure the 'Halo' franchise is protected and is something 'Halo' fans can be proud of, said de Leon.
This interest exhibited by Microsoft is a double-edged sword which could alienate fans if the project fails to meet their expectations since then the company may be considered solely responsible for any of the project's misgivings.
