When it was announced that Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks production studio was picking up the rights to the Halo novels it seemed like gamers' best bet for seeing one of their favorite franchises make it to the silver screen. With the video game's direct adaptation in turmoil many figured that particular version would never see the light of day.

As it turns out, Halo’s franchise development director, when speaking at television conference, said that Microsoft would be very interested in making a Halo movie or possibly even a TV series.

Believing that the Halo property has wide consumer appeal, Microsoft would even be willing to go as far as financing the film itself in order to get it made. One of the biggest selling points Microsoft believes the franchise has going for it is merchandising. Being able to put out a large amount of Halo movie tie-in products would ensure a commercial success no matter what the box-office returns ended up being.

For those that can remember, Halo was initially going to be brought to theaters via the brilliant mind of Peter Jackson. Unfortunately, when the film went behind closed doors things fell apart and eventually everyone went their separate ways.

Now, looking forward, Microsoft is open to anything, saying that if a director with their own artistic vision like Danny Boyle is interested in making a Halo movie then the company would be willing to run with Boyle. It doesn’t even have to be a movie per say as the potential for a TV series is just as viable. When speaking on the matter, Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor said:

“We’d love to see Halo as a television series. Look what HBO did with Band of Brothers or even Rome. Something like that would work because the Halo universe is so vast.”

As convincing as these ideas for a Halo movie are it’s still hard to see it as inevitable. Video game films have yet to even make a dent in the Hollywood stratosphere — usually ending up as complete failures. Next up on the slate is David O’Russell’s Uncharted film that may give audiences a better idea of what a game with a solid narrative can deliver cinematically. It’s hard not to get excited about this prospect, but it’s also hard not to prepare for disappointment.

Which of the two Halo films supposedly gaining steam do you believe will release first: Microsoft’s Halo film or DreamWorks’? Can you see Halo as a long running TV series?

Source: NY Video Game Critics Circle