If ever a Halo movie was to be brought to the silver screen, can a better person be thought of to oversee the project than Steven Spielberg? Okay, sure, maybe Peter Jackson, but we know that"s not happening after Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp left the project due to studio disputes. But according to a recent rumor reported by film site IESB (via ComingSoon), Spielberg is currently in active negotiations to pick up where they left off, and take on the project as producer.

According to IESB"s report (derived from sources at talent agency CAA and nameless "studio executives"), Spielberg was evidently "blown away" by the screenplay written by Stuart Beattie, which is mostly based on Eric Nylunds first Halo novel, "Halo: The Fall of Reach." The novel is a prequel to the first Halo game, telling the story of how the Master Chief came to be... well, the Master Chief.

Although neither Spielberg nor anyone representing him has issued any response to this rumor, Microsoft did pass along a message today to Kotaku, saying only that the project is officially still on hold. "We"re glad there"s still a lot of enthusiasm in the entertainment industry surrounding the idea of a Halo movie," said a spokesperson. "That said, the Halo feature film remains on hold as we focus on projects like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach."