Fox and Universal close to signing Halo film

Fox and Universal Pictures are on course to make a film of Microsoft's best selling game, Halo, according to reports. Under the deal, Universal will take domestic rights and Fox will handle international on the project, however negotiations were still underway late yesterday and further additions could be included in the agreement.

"The deal -- based on a script by 28 Days Later scribe Alex Garland -- caused a stir earlier in the week when Garland's agents at Creative Artists Agency sent it out via a messenger clad in a "Halo"-esque green costume. The deal came bearing some pretty stiff terms, including a two-hour bidding period and demands for a $10 million advance against 15% of the gross. The script was commissioned by Microsoft, which also brought in producer Peter Schlessel to work on the project.

The town balked at the conditions, and the current deal is said to be much less than those initial demands."