Tarantino to direct Half-Life movie?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Jan 19, 2006 3:30 pm PT

Source: See below. The official story: See below. What we heard: When rumors first surfaced about Peter Jackson directing the Halo movie, many dismissed it as a fantasy cooked up by daydreaming nerds. But when it turned out that the King Kong director had agreed to executive-produce Halo, many...

Source: See below.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: When rumors first surfaced about Peter Jackson directing the Halo movie, many dismissed it as a fantasy cooked up by daydreaming nerds. But when it turned out that the King Kong director had agreed to executive-produce Halo, many were flabbergasted that such a perfect pairing could actually happen.

It was the Halo-Jackson news that made it hard to throw this week's bit of scuttlebutt straight into the crazy pile. While making preliminary plans for their annual sojourn into the deafening neon inferno that is E3, GameSpot editors spoke with a person who has many contacts within the Los Angeles film industry. The person in question said that the hot game-movie crossover project du jour was Half-Life, Valve Software's groundbreaking shooter.

While news of a Half-Life film would be hot by itself, what the film insider said next was more scorching than a habanero enema. He/she said that Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino had been hounding Valve executives to bring the game to the big screen, and that he was currently in negotiations with the developer. Most film fans were under the impression the director was in preproduction of his long-in-the-making World War II epic, Inglorious Bastards.

Alas, the image of Gordon Freeman smacking headcrabs to the tune of "Stuck in the Middle With You" was shattered by Doug Lombardi, Valve's director of marketing. After joking that Tarantino was in his office playing Counter-Strike: Source, he set the record straight. "As much as we'd love to meet with him, we've never been contacted by Mr. Tarantino nor 'his people,'" said Lombardi. "We've had many conversations with folks in Hollywood, but have no commitments for an HL movie at this time."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus.

302 Comments

  • TheGravy02

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    /CRY

  • Aaron2k2

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 5:16 pm PT

    grimreaper6921:

    I agree... They would definitely have to add a second person. It would be boring with just Gordon running around. I just hope they don't mess this movie up. I would rather them take another 10 years on it and make it amazing rather than 2 years from now and an OK movie.

  • Aaron2k2

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 5:10 pm PT

    Caliban360:

    Sorry I just realized that... I'm kinda pissed at that too.. Haha and to think about how much excitement I had... UNTIL I watched the trailer : (

  • Supertinytim

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 6:24 am PT

    I like your idea MachinaMaker, but I would try starting it up with the company names in the bottom left corner, and at the same time see a few glimpses of the machine in black mesa where this all went wrong, but don't show to much, keep the audience wondering(at least the audience that hasn't played half-life) what is happening. Then this is the way it should go after. This could be virtually from anyone's perspective, show england before all the madness happened like a usual day, use your imagination of how this all went wrong, but have a portal(but no citidal of course) and show citizens running in madness, i would try going from a citizens first perspective(have the camera close to how the camera work was in clover feild) and then have a reaction with the portal and go black. Then go wherever you'd like to after that. Yes, I want this movie made too, and I have the opening thought out. Thanks reply and tell me what you think.

  • MachinaMaker

    Posted Aug 30, 2009 8:04 am PT

    I hope to God he doesn't. I haven't got anything against Tarantino, but this isn't his area of expertise. He's more into the self written, free of constraints, quirky kind of indy like movie that for some reason isn't an indie but a blockbuster cult phenomenon. No, I don't want him to do it because I need to make the movie. I'm trying to work on a solid script, but there's a lot of things to consider. Right now my plan is to more of start it around Half-Life 2 where he's thrown into City 17, trying to piece together what happened at Black Mesa. The first game is way too insubstantial to make into its own movie and would definitely flop and do pretty bad all together. And you can't jump into the second without telling people the background.

  • moose4000

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 7:45 am PT

    I think with Quentin Tarantino at the wheel, this movie should do pretty good. But who knows, there have been other video game movies that have flopped, HORRIBLY!!!

  • physicbuddha

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 11:58 am PT

    I would cry manly tears on the announcement of such a film

  • bobradar

    Posted Jun 8, 2009 9:24 am PT

    A movie based on half-life 2 would be awesome. It wouldn't necessarily have to follow Gordon. Has anyone else seen the "Escape from City 17" movie on youtube by the PurchaseBrothers? They could have a great storyline following someone else's account of the action with stories of Gordon as their influence and inspiration to keep fighting. I really think they could make a great movie out of this.

  • SadLittleMan

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    Sounds awesome.

    Can't say anything else until it's released it. I hope.

  • Sasaki-san

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 10:39 am PT

    making a half-life 2 movie would be great, sure, but let's not forget our elders. if a movie is to be made, it should be half-life 1 first. true it is simple and maybe not the most movie friendly, but it would help explain things better and please remember that there wouldn't be a HL2 without HL. besides, what's wrong with "just a guy running around pwning up the joint" as Napalm_addict said? that's our gordon!
    btw blokes, these guys are trying a good approach to this problem: http://www.purchasebrothers.com/Purchase-Brothers-v2-hl.html

  • half_life_

    Posted Feb 9, 2009 4:21 pm PT

    i cant wait for the half life movie.some chic stole the name.i have a suggestion for the title.Half Life the Gordon Freeman story.samuel L jackson should be eli and kim kardashian should be alyx

  • gmreedy

    Posted Feb 2, 2009 5:25 pm PT

    that half life movie looks like garbage. How dare they steal a good name and make it look bad!

  • Jozo2

    Posted Dec 20, 2008 10:39 pm PT

    Caliban360:
    Your right. I was actually quite annoyed when I found out some other movie had taken the Half-Life name.

  • Caliban360

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 6:47 am PT

    Aaron 2k2:
    It's not about the game half life.

  • Aaron2k2

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 3:22 pm PT

    There IS a Half Life movie coming out very soon. This year I think. It is one of those festival movies. Check out this site: www.halflifemovie.com

  • cyborg100000

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 8:42 am PT

    A movie by Tarantino would be great but to be honest I don't think a film can fit the charm of Half Life... or who knows but I just can't see it.

  • DivinusMors

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 12:40 pm PT

    I have seen only one good video game to movie.... and that was silent hill... and it was not great.... especially if you've played the games...For the sake of the game, they shouldn't make a movie out of it... and a Halo movie? yeah, I'd rather sit at home and watch porn...

  • DUUUUUUDEn51

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 6:49 pm PT

    Well, I think that it should only feature Barney Calhoun and Adrian Shepherd, I mean they can talk; Gordon Freeman should never speak a word, I mean, that's part of his charm, right???
    Anyway, if they do make a HL movie it would have to be made by Tarantino. That guy rocks.

  • anyamarie42

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 2:10 am PT

    the only way to do a half-life movie is to do it as a maxi-series on hbo, cenemax or showtime networks covering half-life, blue shift and opposing forces. i figure 31 to 54 90 minute episodes should tell the story of what happened at black mesa.

    as far as who is to play who, i would suggest the following;
    Dr. Gordon Freeman........Guy Pearce
    Barney Calhoun............Josh Hartnett
    Adrian Shephard...........Vin Diesel
    Directed by...............Tony or Riddley Scott

    the rest of the cast is up for grabs, but if half-life was done this way it could tell the whole story of what happened at black mesa. they could even have it where the 3 main characters meet at the end. as for half-life 2 well that is another movie or maxi-series altogether, but we would have to see how the first maxi-series did in the ratings.

  • krs762

    Posted Jun 17, 2008 2:50 pm PT

    Even if they made a HL movie we all know it would be crap yet we would all go and see it belive me I know

  • brady_san

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    great plot the games are amazing but it would just be to hard of game to make into a movie and do it right

  • Death_Masta187

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 6:57 pm PT

    THANK GOD.. I cant stand Tarantino.. he is an arrogant douchebag

  • GravityDs

    Posted Jan 14, 2008 7:38 pm PT

    allz I have to say is Ridley Scott beeotches.

  • erikfreak1234

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:43 am PT

    if he made the movie and if it was bad it would look worse

  • dannybare

    Posted Dec 29, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    They'll probaly be half-life movie because it was a successful game and most successful games resident evil, tomb raider for example are nostly made into films.+

  • playwrite

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 11:34 am PT

    half-Life IS a movie. a twenty hour long one, staring the player. It's only the most cinematic game ever made...

  • konbred

    Posted Aug 7, 2007 8:11 am PT

    Half-Life was a phenomenal game. However, a crossover to a movie would not work, unless they had a genius making it, perhaps someone like George Lucas, to add enough substance to make it a movie. As a game, half life can get very monotonus. it is incredibly boring to watch someone else play it, as it lacks substance. the interaction makes up for that. most of half life is this empty interaction, with the exception of a few key scenes, such as the scene when the accident happens, or G-Man's speech at the end. If these were in a movie, they would probably only take up about 5 minutes. This lack of substance is the only thing holding a half life movie at an idle dream. Perhaps a movie which covers the three stories of half life. Split throughout the movie could be the accounts of Gordon Freeman, Adrian Shepherd, and Barney Calhoun. However, they might have to TALK!

  • Manic-Maniac

    Posted Jul 9, 2007 2:17 am PT

    solidsnake is right the game is played out as a movie so u would be watchin wat u just did except from da third-pirson

  • mikes_cmn

    Posted Apr 27, 2007 1:48 am PT

    Saw a nice vid...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxU7YfkGZKA

    Sweet the way it was done!

  • gthepug

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    i checked the Studio Producer mentioned in the end of the preview, and it did not come up as an actual movie studio. If any of you have heard of "BUMP STUDIOS", try to investigate.

  • gthepug

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 3:33 pm PT

    in case anyone is wondering, development, or at least a "teaser trailer" has been started for a Half-Life Movie, here's a link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxU7YfkGZKA
    The Trailer was made without in-game footage, so i cant find out whether its a hoax or not. I'm going to e-mail the guy in the credit screen at the end, Just in-case.
    I haven't been able to find any other info on it, so it still remains a mystery.

  • stuckboy

    Posted Nov 11, 2006 10:17 am PT

    A half life movie? Nah. Half life + CG just wouldn't work. They'd have to render it in real time in the cinema using an upgraded source engine

  • gerafin

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:01 pm PT

    I have a script for a HL 1 movie all worked out:
    GORDON: Silence
    -BANG-
    GORDON: Silence
    -SCREECH-
    -BANG-
    GORDON: Deep Silence
    *Roll Credits*

  • darktail67

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 11:27 am PT

    i think if there's to be a Half-Life movie it shouldn't be about the original HL game or HL2, but about what happened in-between the games. it'd be fun to watch and the whole Gordon-Freeman-didn't-speak thing wouldn't be ruined by the movie =3

  • nappan

    Posted Oct 9, 2006 2:06 pm PT

    I like a lot of what Tarantino has done, but I think it would have been a huge mismatch. Tarantino has always been driven by what HE writes, not source material and the kind of strict conventions he'd be forced to deal with in a game movie. As for Uwe Boll, his next few projects are set actually. There was an interesting article written by Richard "Lowtax" Kyanka on SA dotcom where he actually visited the set of Boll's latest trainwreck, and he reported boll's next c**pfest is some weird scriptless, lightingless "concept piece". Frankly, I think that big projects like an MGS movie and Half Life have money behind them, not just "wow I think people would like to see a Bloodrayne movie, lets do it CHEAP". Don't be fooled, it doesn't have to be a big-name director for these movies... I'd prefer a really solid writing-directing team than all the money going to a single factor.

  • thenfoot

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 5:38 pm PT

    I think that tarantino would do wonders for a movie. He could make Gordon never say a word and never show his face, even though his face isn't a secret. I think that Tarantinos style of jumping through time would be perfect with a half life storyline... but thats just me?

  • grimreaper6921

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 9:43 pm PT

    Woulda been good but the fact is, they woulda had to add a second person, like the security officer or w/e to go along with him througout the whole movie

  • napalm_addict

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 7:26 pm PT

    It'd be sweet, but they'd have to Combine (hehe) HL1 and HL2 to be able to have a suitable film. They couldnt do the first one thats just a guy running around pwning up the joint (although I'd be willing to watch it) if he doesnt have any other major character interaction. It'd have to start at the beginninng of HL2 and slowly tell the back story of HL1 thru flash backs and dialogue. Oh, and Johnny Depp as Gordon Freeman.

  • snoopy248

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 1:21 pm PT

    I think that would be awesome.

  • stephant_6

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 7:08 pm PT

    I would have wanted to see a Half-Life movie even if it was bad because Half-Life is my favorite game out there but than again it may spoil the fun of the game so I'm not sure

  • THStrackrunner

    Posted Jun 9, 2006 8:15 am PT

    Well, i hope they dont make one, cause for people who dont have the money to play every game, but it trying to, the storylinw would be spoiled

  • Cross_eye

    Posted May 28, 2006 8:11 am PT

    actually i dont think he would have had Gordon Freeman as the main character of his film. maybe like Adrian Shepherd as the main charecter.

  • dustyjo

    Posted May 11, 2006 3:32 pm PT

    lol HAX

  • Bushi17

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:42 pm PT

    well said.

  • boxoneedles

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 5:03 pm PT

    Movies are movies, books are books and games are games like potatoes are not onions.

  • dknutsen

    Posted Apr 20, 2006 6:17 am PT

    There had better not be a HL movie, ever. That would pretty much screw up the entire franchise. HL is one of my favorite game series right now, but if they did that, along with this new episodic junks, I might have to do the unthinkable and give it up.

  • donsam

    Posted Apr 10, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    Uwe Boll should die

  • vapourspeed

    Posted Apr 10, 2006 2:19 am PT

    The danger of making a HL movie would be that if the movie tanked, then it would be doing a great disservice to a fantastic game.

  • kohashi_yuro26

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 4:55 am PT

    Well i was thinking about Tarantino making a movie like HL... but as i was drifting in blank space.. i was really having these thoughs of them adding more crap like what happened to doom.. that movie was damn crap!! it was away from the game.. but the trailer speaked for itself.. that it was "based on the game" and i just saw crap.. except for the bfg and hellknight and the whatever that was.. at least , if they're going to make HL a movie.. give justice to the game! and chuck norris as gordon freeman? forget it!

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