[i]Rumors of a Halo film had been circulating since release of Halo: Combat Evolved. However, in 2004, it was officially confirmed by Bungie that a film project was in development. While the movie was intended to be handled by 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures, both pulled out due to monetary concerns in October of 2006 - postponing the film indefinitely until new distributors could be found. The Halo movie was to be filmed in live action with considerable CG special effects. Wingnut Films, the team behind Lord of the Rings and King Kong, were also to be a part of the project. Before it was delayed, it was revealed that the film would have been shot in Wellington, New Zealand, and was slated for a summer 2009 release. To keep the producers true to the Halo Universe, Bungie prepared an exhaustive encyclopedia, the "Halo Compendium", known affectionately as the Halo Story Bible. This condensed account described the total fiction of Halo, including games, novels, characters, species and vessels. The Halo 3 promotional Landfall series directed by Neill Blomkamp was considered a test of viewer interest in a possible Halo movie.[/i] In 2009 Neill Blomkamp denied that District 9 was not a showcase for a Halo film and he said that he was no longer involved. However, in April this year Neil Blomkamp announced that he would still be interested in directing a Halo movie, if given the opportunity and more creative freedom.