Variety reports that 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures have closed their deal to make a movie based on Microsoft's hit videogame Halo, with plans for a tentpole release in the summer of 2007. The two studios will pay Microsoft $5 million against 10% of the gross.

Universal will oversee the production and is handling domestic distribution, while Fox will take foreign distribution. The studios will split revenues 50/50 out of a shared pot, adds the trade.

Former Columbia president Peter Schlessel, who served as a Hollywood liaison for Microsoft, is producing. 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland was paid $1 million by Microsoft to write a script that met its approval. He'll now do a rewrite with studio notes, after which Universal will go out to directors.

The film is based on the game franchise which has grossed $600 million.
Ich denke mit Microsoft im Rücken könnte dies mal eine gelungene Umsetzung werden, denn die wollen wohl sicher nicht ihr X-Box Zugpferd mit einem schlechten Film abspeisen. Und viel Potential bietet das SPpiel durchaus für eine gute Story. Wenn ich mir schon die wilden Fahrten im Buggy auf der Leinwand vorstelle.