Microsoft postpones movie version of "Halo"

Microsoft and its film partners have postponed production of a movie based on the "Halo" video game series, the company said today.

The announcement comes two weeks after the film lost support from Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox, who backed out of an agreement to fund the deal.

Microsoft said in a statement that it postponed the movie because it wants to bring "a first-class film to the big screen." The company said that though it will take longer now to make the movie, the final film will be "well worth the wait."

Filmmaker Peter Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh had signed on as executive producers, and shooting was reportedly to begin early next year.

After losing Universal and Fox as partners, Microsoft said it would begin seeking new backers for the project. Variety reported last week that the company had approached Warner Bros., Paramount and private investors.

Variety also reported that Universal and Fox had originally given "Halo" a $128 million budget, allowing Microsoft and the producers to collectively gross about 19 percent of the profits. That's a significant percentage, particularly for a movie with no star power and a first-time director, according to Variety. That director, Neill Blomkamp, has only made short films and commercial advertisements in the past.

The film's script has gone under some serious tinkering and is up for a second rewrite, Variety reported.

Kim Peterson: 206-464-2360 or kpeterson@seattletimes.com