This short originated as test footage meant for the since canceled Halo movie. Director Neil Blomkamp was frustrated with how slow development was going so he used some of the money meant for the film and shot this as a means to use as a trailer. Despite positive response from Bungie, Microsoft, producer Peter Jackson, and even fans of the game, it was simply not enough for Universal and 20th Century Fox, who quickly pulled the plug on the project when both Blomkamp and Jackson asked for more money. Feeling sour about the situation, Jackson and his production company used the 30 million that had already been invested to fund what would become District 9 (2009).