Peter Jackson puts on 'Halo' for Hollywood (thanks Lance) has word that the Lord of the Rings director is to co-executive produce the upcoming Halo motion picture, warthogs and all:

Jackson and his wife, Fran Walsh, will serve as the executive producers for "Halo," which is targeted for worldwide release in mid-2007 by Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox film studios.

Universal will oversee the film's production and domestic distribution. Fox will handle international distribution.

"Halo" will be shot in Wellington, New Zealand, and will use Jackson's production and postproduction facilities there.

"I'm a huge fan of the game and look forward to helping it come alive on the cinema screen," Jackson said in a statement.

The executive producers will collaborate with Universal, Fox and Microsoft's Bungie Studios, which created the game.

"Halo," the best-selling franchise for Microsoft's Xbox game console, follows the adventures of the futuristic super-soldier Master Chief as he battles an alien onslaught.

Screenwriter and novelist Alex Garland wrote the original feature film adaptation of Halo. A director will be named in coming weeks, but the cast has yet to be announced.