Warner sets Halo Legends title in February
PHYSICAL: Eight shorts make up first film tie-in to game blockbuster
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/4/2009
NOV. 4 | PHYSICAL: Warner Home Video is spinning hot videogame franchise Halo into a made-for-DVD/Blu-ray Disc title set to street on Feb. 9.
Halo Legends will feature CGI and traditional animation.
Halo Legends, produced by Microsoft’s 343 Industries, will roll out as an eight-episode series of animated short films, designed in both CGI and traditional animation. The shorts explore the origins of the Halo universe and its cast of characters.
Frank O’Connor and Kevin Grace, who helped steer Halo’s game development, are behind the Halo Legends story lines. Each episode is directed by a different Japanese animator, including Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell).
The studio is touting the title as the first major filmed tie-in to the Halo brand. With Peter Jackson recently bowing out of a Halo theatrical project, the game’s fans may take some solace in these animated shorts from Warner.
Halo Legends, carrying a Jan. 5 pre-order date, is priced at $29.98 for both two-disc standard-definition DVD and Blu-ray versions. There also is a single-disc DVD edition for $19.98. Additionally, episodes will be available for electronic sell-through and video-on-demand.
Both two-disc and Blu-ray versions hold several hours of extras, including featurettes and commentary.
Halo is already a gangbuster game franchise, selling more than 27 million units, including latest installment Halo 3: ODST. When including its themed novels, comics and other merchandise, the Halo brand has churned out more than $1 billion in revenue, according to the studio.
“Warner Home Video is proud to partner with Microsoft to bring this videogame phenomenon to fans in an altogether different entertainment medium,” said Amit Desai, the studio’s VP of family, animation and partner brands marketing. “The great storytelling, memorable characters and truly astounding CG/anime makes Halo Legends a must-have for the fans.”
