Halo Movie Filming in 2012 with Spielberg at the Helm? [Update: Nope!]

Update: 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor has posted on NeoGAF calling the rumors "nonsense."

Steven Spielberg has once again been linked with the Halo film project that's been meandering around Hollywood since way back in 2005.

The latest batch of speculation comes from press materials that were sent out for the French-language release of the new Halo novel, Cryptum. French fansite Halo.fr has posted a scan that seems to indicate work on the film is further along than previously indicated.

The excerpt, when translated, reads, "A film adaptation is scheduled for 2012. It will realized by a partnership between two heavyweights of American cinema: Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks."

The Halo film has been in limbo ever since a planned 20th Century Fox production with Peter Jackson and District 9 director Neill Blomkamp fell through back in 2007. Microsoft has since regained control of the film rights, so it's entirely possible that they've taken the property to Dreamworks.

Involvment from Spielberg wouldn't be that far-fetched, either. In 2009, the director was reportedly attached to the project as a producer, though no official announcements followed the rumor.

If the Halo film is indeed scheduled to begin production next year, we could be seeing Master Chief and Cortana in theaters as soon as 2013. Still, nothing is certain until Microsoft, Dreamworks, or 343 Industries comes forward with official confirmation.