More details are emerging about the financial deal to bring Peter Jackson on board as exec producer of the Halo movie

According to Variety, the deal includes a seven-figure advance against gross points. The film will be shot entirely in New Zealand. Jackson's Stone Street Studios and Park Road Post will work on post-production and special effects.

Microsoft has been working on a deal for over a year. The company is taking 10% of the gross against a $5 million advance.

Universal chairman Stacey Snider said, "We have all been involved with Peter for the last two years with King Kong and were talking considering lots of projects to expand our relationship with him and [his wife] Fran. He's a big game fan and knew of the project before the producers even came on board."

Script-writer Alex Garland (who penned 28 Days Later and adapted The Beach) was paid $1 million by Microsoft to work on the project, but is currently reworking the first draft.

The film's release is set for summer 2007.