Just when we were comfortable with the fact that we’d never see a live action Halo movie, Microsoft comes and stirs up the pot again.  Frank O’Connor, franchise development director for MS, sat on a transmedia panel at the Future of Television East conference last week.  At this meeting, he said several things that indicate that a Halo movie will happen.  Not least of those statements; “There will be a Halo movie."

During the conference, O’Connor noted that Microsoft “want(s) to have Halo on any screen we have access to,."  After the panel, Joystiq spoke with O’Connnor, where he unequivocally confirmed continued plans for a Halo movie.  He also explained why the movie hasn’t yet been made, stating that, "Everyone wanted to do a Halo movie, the director, Microsoft, the highest placed people at movie companies,” and that problems began when the lawyers got involved: “When they went behind closed doors with the contracts, things fell apart,” citing issues with licensing, and the movie studio’s ability to make money on merchandising and DVD sales.

Despite O’Connor’s insistence on a Halo movie, he also brought up the idea of a television series based on the game franchise; We'd love to see Halo as a television series. Look what HBO did with Band of Brothers or even Rome. Something like that would work because the Halo universe is so vast."

O’Connor then reiterated his confidence in a movie; "There will be a Halo movie. We don't need a movie. But we'd like a movie. We'd like the moms of gamers to see the movies because they would love our characters. Maybe we'll even fund it ourselves."

So, despite the loss of star director, Peter Jackson, and possible lead actor, Denzel Washington, it looks like the Halo movie may still be a reality.  I’m still withholding judgement, as O’Connor seems to be the only person talking about the film, but there’s now a glimmer of hope for Halo fans who want to see their favorite gaming story played out on the big screen.