Sangheili811 said:
I think the filmakers were worried that if the chief stayed faceless, the regular movie-going audience (non-Halo fans) wouldn't bond with him.
I understand their hesitation, but personally, I think it's unfounded at this point.
Really, with Arnold Schwarzenegger's emotionless t-800 being named one of the top 50 heroes of all time by the American film institute, as well as other faceless cinematic characters achieving such huge cult status, I honestly don't think it's beyond the regular movie going audience to cheer for a faceless hero; especially when said hero is supposed to be more like a force of nature than anything else.
Again, if I were king, I'd portray chief sort of like how Tim Burton portrayed Batman in the first Batman movie, as this mysterious and powerful force. Despite being the central protagnist in that movie he doesn't really have a whole lot of dialogue or any kind of significant characterization, but in a way that's almost what makes the character so interesting and memorable in the film.
xalener said:
Well, that's what I meant. They did EVERYTHING to make hobbets short.
giant animatronic bar patron suits, green screen, face replacement, forced perspective.
That's what Halo needs. Everything, not jsut CG out the ass.
I'm just pointing out that, one way or another, unless they decide to make Chief 6' tall (bad idea), or they decide to make him a CGI creation, it's axiomatic that they are going to have a 7' tall stuntman/creature actor for a good 90% of this movie, including if they pull a Spider-man and have a big action sequence with his helmet off (HORRIBLE idea). This being the case, I think it just makes sense to just go the whole 9 yards, keep the helmet on, and recast Steve Downes.
The old saying goes: beggars can't be choosers, and if and when they do a hollywood production Halo movie there's a pretty good chance they'll go with a known actor in the part, and I don't think that for most people that will kill their interest in the project. I do think most fans could accept another actor in the role.
However, another part of me says that if Transformers fans can get Peter Cullen back as Optimus Prime then Halo fans damn well deserve to get Steve Downes back as Chief. Hell, I'm still frakin pissed off they didn't even get him back for Halo Legends.