Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One today, and embedded in its bounty of announcements relating to the new console was the exciting news that Steven Spielberg is developing and will produce a live-action TV series based on the popular Halo franchise.  Microsoft has been trying to get a big screen iteration of Halo off the ground for years, with Peter Jackson previously producing the feature film effort that Neill Blomkamp was poised to direct.  Things went sour when Blomkamp’s vision for the film didn’t jibe with Microsoft’s strict rules regarding how the franchise was to be handled, but it worked out alright with Blomkamp instead making his directorial debut with the stellar 2009 sci-fi pic District 9.

Now it appears that Microsoft will go it alone with regards to a narrative Halo effort, and they’ve got Steven Spielberg on their side.  Hit the jump for more.

After a screening of some footage from his upcoming sci-fi feature Elysium, writer/director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) talked about other projects he has varying levels of involvement in.  He touched on his learning experience with the defunct Halo picture, possible sequels to his breakout film District 9 and his stance on directing original material, sequels to his own films and adapting popular properties.  Blomkamp also teased a bit about iconic cinematic characters that he would love to get his hands on but is a bit too apprehensive about taking them on completely.

Hit the jump to see what he had to say and be sure to check back later for more on this special event for Elysium, due out August 9th.

Now playing in theaters is Dredd 3D.  As most of you know, Dredd is an adaption of the 2000AD comics character Judge Dredd, and it stars Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey.  The film follows Dredd (Urban) and rookie Judge Cassandra Anderson (Thirlby) fighting through a tower that’s crawling with thugs in their attempt to bring down drug overlord Ma-ma (Headey).  Unlike the Stallone version from the 90′s, this version of Dredd is gritty, ultra-violent, and really worth your time.  For more on the film, here’s Matt’s review, a featurette, a TV spot, and all our previous coverage.

At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, I was able to speak with screenwriter Alex Garland before the premiere.  We talked about putting Dredd 3D together, how things changed along the way, the SLO-MO effects, the gritty violence, deleted scenes, the necessity of the reshoots and which scenes were added in later, and more.  In addition, with Garland having written drafts of Logan’s Run and Halo, we talked about what happened on both of those projects and what it will take to make a great video game movie.  Hit the jump for what he had to say.

It’s been a busy week in the world of video game news.  On the disappointing side of things, it looks like Nintendo’s new console, the Wii U is going to have a delayed release in Europe due to some manufacturing difficulties (though it should still land stateside before Thanksgiving).  On the bright side: we have new looks at the weapons of Halo 4, a multiplayer trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops II and some in-game combat action for Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed III.  Hit the jump for all that and more!

As most of you know, I recently did an epic hour-long video interview with director Guillermo del Toro, and over the past two weeks I’ve been breaking it down into smaller segments. For today’s installment, del Toro talks about his rumored Dr. Strange movie with Neil Gaiman, how the 24/7 news cycle of the internet has changed the way projects get reported,  the length of time it really takes to get a movie made, how many projects he’s been developing have never leaked, his thoughts on what it will take to make a kick-ass video game adaptation and the inherent difficulty in transitioning to movie screens, and more.  In addition, for all you Halo fans, del Toro talks about the Halo movie he developed with D.B. Weiss, who is now very famous for HBO’s Game of Thrones.  Hit the jump for more.

With the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3 2012) set to kick off on June 5th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, we thought we’d bring you a preview of some of the major video games that are going to be on display.  This year will feature a new installment in the Halo franchise, a return to form for the groundbreaking Tomb Raider series and a few new LEGO games that will please fans of DC heroes and Lord of the Rings alike.  There’s also talk of a new game from LucasArts, titled Star Wars 1313 but unfortunately there’s no video to share as of yet.
As someone who grew up with blocky monochrome pixels bouncing around the screen, I’m continually impressed by the level of realism and beauty that comes out of these games.  Hit the jump to check out a variety of jaw-dropping trailers and previews.

In case you missed Hugh Jackman wishing moms a Happy Mother’s Day from the set of Les Miserables, we have a back up plan for you! Sarge and the crew from “Red vs Blue” have mothers, too.  They’re here in this PSA, broadcasting from their outpost in Blood Gulch to give you advice on the best/worst gifts to give your mom on Mother’s Day.  While your mom might not understand the reference, there’s a good chance she bought you your XBox and the first copy of Halo way back in 2001.  So how’s about putting a little thought into what you get her for this year’s celebration of all things maternal?  Hit the jump for a list of suggestions from Sarge, Donut, Tucker and more.

The creators of the upcoming Halo: Anniversary Edition and Halo 4 came to Comic-Con to discuss their ongoing space opera and show off some new footage. I’m not a gamer, (a GBA is the most advanced system I have), so I can’t really explain what a Didact or a Precursor or Guilty Spark are, but the panelists, who included Frank O’Connor, Kevin Graceas, Greg Bear and Karen Traviss all promised that fans will see plenty of all of these elements in upcoming Halo games and novels.

They also presented something really cool for the Halo re-release that wowed me even as a non-fan. Read on for the details.

Halo is one of the most successful video game franchises of al-time but it’s had some trouble making its way to the big screen.  DreamWorks is now giving the Master Chief a new shot a motion picture as Vulture reports that the studio is reviving its efforts to obtain the rights and develop a feature film.  It’s a daunting proposition as Fox and Universal previously tried to adapt the game only to come out with lost cash and bitter recriminations.  Specifically, Universal lost about $12 million in development costs on the deal and there’s the worry that the studio may try to sue DreamWorks in order to recoup their failed investment.

Hit the jump for how DreamWorks plans to dodge that bullet and appease rights-holder Microsoft.

Let’s face the facts: if you can provide a basic definition for the filmmaking technique known as machinima, chances are, you’re a nerd. You needn’t be worried or ashamed of this, though. By that very same logic, thanks to the creators of Red vs. Blue, the number of certifiable “nerds” has increased exponentially worldwide. Since the web-series turned web-phenomenon’s first season in 2003, people who wouldn’t be caught dead playing Settlers of Catan (don’t knock it until you try it) are able to fulfill the modest “geek requirement” established here. Be proud, Rooster Teeth Productions, you’ve helped insert nerdy tendencies into the mainstream’s sub-conscious. While the “dudes” (that’s right, we have a name for you guys to) who lack the type of versatility required to enjoy both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and things that don’t involve beating the hell out of other dudes may hate you for it, I couldn’t thank you enough. My review of Red vs. Blue Seasons 1-5 on DVD after the jump.

For nearly eight years now, developer Bungie has continued to please Xbox owners with their “Halo” franchise.  Two years ago, “Halo 3″ set the benchmark for gaming sales, surpassing every previous release in the entertainment industry.  Not only did it outsell every other game on the Xbox 360, its opening day sales topped that of the “Spider Man 3″ feature film opening.  Needless to say, the games protagonist Master Chief has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry.  However, fans of the series were told that “Halo 3″ was the culmination in the saga- that we had seen the end of Master Chief.  Though this is true, Bungie is soon releasing “Halo 3: ODST”, a game in the Halo universe that does not involve Master Chief, but does involve all of the previous goodies plus a lot more!  Not being an avid “Halo” fan myself, I must admit that is a welcome addition to the franchise and is possibly my favorite game in the series.  Read about this amazing title after the jump.

“District 9″ is one of those films…the less you know the better. So let me say to everyone reading this, if you’d like to see a great sci-fi movie, something that’s new, original, and fresh, go see “District 9″ this weekend. Don’t ask people what it’s about. Don’t go reading the reviews. Just buy a ticket and see it. I promise you’ll love the movie and you’ll be so happy you didn’t know anything beforehand. That’s how I saw it and it was amazing.

Of course not everyone feels this way. Some people don’t care what they find out in advance and they actually want to learn as much as they can before they see a movie. So while I’d love to post this exclusive interview I did with director Neill Blomkamp after “District 9″ had opened, I realize the reason he did press was to get people into the theater this weekend. So after the jump is a great conversation with Neill and he explains why he got into making movies, the marketing of “District 9″, making the film, the style, what will be on the DVD/Blu-ray, would he go back to “Halo” if he was asked, Comic-Con, and a lot more. Take a look:

The other day I spoke with to screenwriter Stuart Beattie about his work on “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra”. We did a phone interview as he’s currently in Australia scouting locations and prepping his first feature “Tomorrow, When the War Began”. In a few weeks I’ll post everything he said about “Joe”, but today I wanted to focus on what he said about all the other projects he’s involved with.

In case you didn’t know, Stuart is writing/developing “Tarzan: Lord Of The Jungle” for director Stephen Sommers at Warner Brothers, “The 89th War” for Ron Howard, “Bra Boys” for Russell Crowe, Tom Clancy’s “Without Remorse”, and “Spyhunter” for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. He also wrote a script for a “Halo” movie completely on spec and he told me his take on the material and when he believes Hollywood will finally make a great video game movie.

It’s a great interview so check it out after the jump: