20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising has announced a partnership with Microsoft where they will be the licensing agent for the Halo franchise. Does this mean that there's still a chance the movie to be produced or does it just mean I'll be drinking out of Halo-themed coffee mugs? (which is still cool none-the-less). This can mean only good things for both companies. (watch their Stocks sky-rocket in the next few months, just my luck I didn't buy FOX)

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising announced a partnership with Microsoft to act as the primary licensing agent for its top-selling video game franchise "Halo," which already has 30 licensees across a full range of product categories.

Fox Licensing will enter the strategic partnership with Microsoft -- which has generated more than $700 million in sales from the "Halo" franchise, with more than 14.5 million video games sold -- to expand the brand's licensing and merchandise program, retail distribution and worldwide presence with its target demographic of males ages 17-34.

"The addition of the 'Halo' brand is a tremendous addition to our licensing portfolio," said Elie Dekel, executive vp domestic licensing at 20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising. "Microsoft Games Studios and the world's best video game developer, Bungie, has created one of the most recognizable video games of this generation with legions of loyal fans. This partnership clearly demonstrates our belief in representing outside intellectual properties that are seamless to our core business and audience at Fox.

" 'Halo' is widely considered the jewel in the crown of the video game industry, and we are enormously excited about extending this IP in innovative ways that are organic to the brand and that will be embraced by 'Halo' fans worldwide."

Deathsythe via hollywoodreporter.com »