'Halo' May Get Steven Spielberg as Producer

Stuart Beattie ("G.I. Joe") wrote a spec script for "Halo" because he was frustrated by the lack of progress on the project.

Beattie wrote the script as a character driven story based on a 6-year old boy who is kidnapped and trained by the USNC to become a Spartan Warrior. It’s a prequel and based on the 2001 novel, "Halo: The Fall of Reach."

So even though Beattie put together the script, no one has been really biting. Studios have been leery of dropping money on a franchise that looks like it has promise but might not pan out.

Now, the good news, exclusively from IESB, is that Steven Spielberg is in negotiations to produce the video game-based project because he took a look at the script that Beattie wrote and was "blown away" by it.

IESB added that Spielberg has a great relationship with the owner of the film rights, Microsoft. Not to mention he’s buddies with Bill Gates. And then there's the little fact that Spielberg was a special guest during Microsoft's E3 presentation for their new Project Natal and during that presentation said he was a big gamer.

Is is an exciting rumor that Steven Spielberg has taken over development on the "Halo" movie that Peter Jackson previously tried to make. They're saying they've confirmed this "with studio executives and our close ties to CAA" and that it's legit. Let's not forget that Jackson and Spielberg are working together on "Tintin," so they've probably had plenty of time to talk about bringing one of the greatest video games in history to the big screen. But why is Jackson letting Spielberg take over so easily? Is it because he doesn't have time with "The Hobbit" coming up?

Either way, I will be stoked if Spielberg does indeed become involved in this project. Until otherwise, Spielberg is only in negotiations.

"Halo" is a video game by Bungie and published by Microsoft. There have been three versions of the game, five novels, two graphic novels and various spin-off games and other products.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, First Showing