Microsoft has revealed that the Halo movie will be released in the summer of 2008 - newcomer Neil Blomkamp named as director.

This is not an image from the Halo movie, but merely two men in suits
This is not an image from the Halo movie, but merely two men in suitsThis is not an image from the Halo movie, but merely two men in suits

Since it was announced that a Halo movie was to be made, the director's chair has been linked to big name Hollywood directors such as Peter Jackson (LOTR Trilogy) and Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy), but it turns out that it won't be a tried and tested director who will be in charge of Halo, but the relative newcomer Neill Blomkamp.

Although you've probably never heard of Blomkamp, he has built up a good name with work on visual effects for Stargate SG-1, Smallville and Dark Angel, having also worked on some ad campaigns including the acclaimed dancing Citroen ad. Microsoft describes Blomkamp as "one of the most innovative and original artists currently working in short films and commercial advertising."

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Blomkamp has earned praise for his 2005 short film "Alive in Joburg", a visually impressive six-minute film about an alien race that come to earth as refugees in search or water and electricity. Another of Blomkamp's shorts is "Tetra Vaal", which, whilst only 90 seconds long, features some very impressive visuals of a robotic policeman roaming the streets.

Also on board for Halo are Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh as executive producers, with Jackson's Weta Digital and Weta Workshop in charge of the film's special effects, costumes, and all visual stuff that will bring the world of Halo to life.

There's still no information on the cast for the movie, but with the film's release only two years off (films take a long time to make) it can't be long until something official is announced. We'll keep you informed of any updates.