Halo fans were surprised this weekend as Microsoft announced the name of a screenwriter to develop a script based on the console-selling first-person shooter series.

Variety magazine reported that the script will be based on the story from the first two games and will be written by Alex Garland. Garland is famous for 2000’s The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the 2003 horror film 28 Days Later.

Although, Danny Boyle directed both movies his name has not been mentioned at all in the recent announcements

Bungie, who developed Halo and is owned by Microsoft, has been making sure that this is not a cash-in according to www.1up.com. With the history of terrible movies being made about good games there is obviously concern that Bungie’s hard work will be destroyed in a fast filming process and licensed merchandise fiasco.

To ensure the integrity of the project Microsoft plans on staying out of the filmmaking process and leaving it to the experts in Hollywood.

This news comes within several days of the release of Electronic Gaming Monthly’s game of the year awards. In which 2004 was described as “The Year of the Game” with Halo 2 narrowly walking away with the very prestigious “Game-of-the-Year” award. “Narrowly” meaning only with one more vote than the controversial Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.