Every other week it seems we hear about another video game being turned into a big screen action vehicle or epic. Yet the valid question has been raised, why is that Microsoft's "Halo 2" and Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas", easily two of the most successful titles in any entertainment field this year, not headed the same way?
According to <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117915347?categoryid=10&cs=1" target="_blank">Variety</a> it seems the answer is that the properties are so valuable that Hollywood doesn't have much to offer. Even if the company was offered huge amounts like $20 million for the rights, the harm of a film adaptation (games to movies so far have had a poor track record) may hurt more than do good - especially with both franchises still in their prime and the ability to make far more money in the games arena than in cinema.
Sources indicate that Microsoft is developing its own script for a "Halo" movie inhouse and has contacted agencies to bring an A-list screenwriter onboard to help work on it. If the games developer is happy with said script, it's expected to then be shopped around to producers or studios. Rockstar has reportedly snubbed interest from major players including Tony Scott and Eminem, and there are hints it may be working on its own script as well.
Thanks to 'Jess'
