It's no secret that Halo has struggled to find success outside of video games, and I'll be the first to admit that, as a massive Halo fan, the Halo TV series from Paramount+ was one of the worst shows I've ever had the displeasure of watching.
Credit where it's due, though. The show occasionally delivered some genuinely impressive action sequences, even if they were often followed moments later by Master Chief removing his helmet for no apparent reason. But I digress.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty was asked whether Halo could return to television following the cancellation of the Paramount+ series.
"The previous Halo adaptation at Paramount+ didn't make it past season 2, but the series shot to the top of the charts when Netflix picked up its streaming distribution. Could it come back?"
Booty's response was brief, but interesting:
Halo, first and foremost, is one of our biggest franchises. It's iconic to Xbox and we're certainly going to invest going forward.
Matt Booty
I'll be the first to admit that it isn't much to go on, and it's certainly not confirmation of a new TV series or movie. Still, it's notable that Xbox continues to speak about Halo as one of its most important franchises, especially when directly asked about its future in television.
If Microsoft does decide to take another shot at adapting Halo, though, I know exactly what I want it to look like.
Years ago, a leaked Halo script written by Alex Garland painted a version of the universe that felt darker, grittier, and far more in line with the tone many fans associate with the games. One scene sees a terrified Corporal Jenkins desperately demanding his sidearm back from Master Chief. After repeatedly refusing to explain what he's running from, Chief hands over the pistol, only for Jenkins to immediately put it in his mouth and pull the trigger.
It's a brutal scene, but it's also incredibly effective. It instantly communicates fear, mystery, and the horror of encountering the Flood without needing lengthy exposition. That's the kind of Halo adaptation I'd love to see. One that embraces the darker corners of the universe rather than trying to reinvent them.
Maybe Halo's future on TV or the big screen isn't over after all. If Xbox does decide to revisit the franchise, hopefully it takes a closer look at what made Halo resonate with fans in the first place.
Anyway, let me know your thoughts on the possibility of Halo returning to television or film in the comments below, and be sure to take part in our poll!
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