Studios pull out of Jackson Halo movie

Peter Jackson is disappointed after Hollywood studios Fox and Universal pulled out of financing video game movie Halo, reportedly because they are worried at its escalating budget.

Movie bosses had asked executive producer Jackson and computer game giant Microsoft to reduce their profit margins on the reported $200m (€158m) project - a request which both allegedly refused.

The studios were also concerned that the costly film is being made by a first-time director, Neill Blomkamp.

But Jackson spokesman Ken Kamins says: "The only budget the film-makers every spoke about was $145m (€115m) less the 12.5% rebate that you get from shooting in New Zealand, which would put it at about $128m (€101m). That was the only number that was ever discussed."