Spielberg, Dreamworks working on 'Halo' movie for 2012?

It appears that the "Halo" movie might be back on, courtesy of two film giants.

French site Halo.fr claims a press release about the book "Halo: Cryptum" by Greg Bear, included mention of a film adaptation of the popular game franchise that could hit theaters as early as 2012.

"A film adaptation is set in 2012," the release reads, according to Halo.fr. "It will be conducted jointly by two heavyweights of American cinema: Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks."

Although there's no telling what the movie, if it exists, would be about, there is some speculation that it might follow the story of "Halo: Cryptum." That book tells the story of a "species," called the "Forerunners," that lived 100,000 years ago, According to the book's description, the Forerunners were "the keepers of the Mantle, the next stage of life in the Universe's Living Time. And then they vanished."

"Halo: Cryptum" is just one of many books that relate to the famed game franchise. Several titles, including "Halo: Helljumper" and "Halo: Evolutions Volume II: Essential Tales of the Halo Universe," are also available to readers.

Although Halo has been able to make the leap to books, the road to the silver screen hasn't been so easy. Since 2005, there has been talk of a Halo film coming to theaters after Microsoft signed a movie deal to get it done. Excitement surrounding the film was palpable when it was revealed that famed director Peter Jackson would be involved in the production of the movie as a producer. But after Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox balked at the financing of the film, which would have cost $145 million, the idea was shelved.

Since then, rumors have continued to crop up, suggesting Halo would be coming to theaters, but so far, the companies that could actually make that happen have not said that's the case.

Neither Microsoft nor Dreamworks have immediately responded to CNET's request for comment on this latest rumor.

(Via Eurogamer)