After close to a decade residing in development hell, Paramount+ has now dropped a full-length trailer for its Halo TV series (none of this minute-long bullshit), previewing some extremely tasty Master Chief action – energy sword, plasma pistol, and all – as well as locking in a March 2022 release date.
Set during the 26th century, humanity is in the midst of an intergalactic conflict against the alien known as the Covenant. In order to turn the tide, UNSC scientist Dr Catherine Elizabeth Halsey (portrayed by Natascha McElhone) establishes the Spartan-II Project, which is designed to create genetically + technologically enhanced supersoldiers.
Similar to the beloved video game franchise, the series will follow the larger-than-life Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 (portrayed by Pablo Schreiber), the faceless protagonist raised for combat since childhood and charged with commanding a Spartan unity. And based on what we’ve seen so far, the helmeted Schreiber certainly looks, moves, and feels the part.
“Halo: The Series will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure, and a richly imagined vision of the future.”
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The footage provided today also gives us a pretty good look at the iconic AI construct modelled after Dr Halsey’s cerebral network who accompanies Master Chief: Cortana (portrayed by Jen Taylor). For the uninitiated, Cortana is entrusted to the care of Master Chief given how her crucial knowledge makes her a high-value target for the Covenant.
Pablo Schreiber, Natascha McElhone, Jen Taylor are joined by Yerin Ha as Kwan Ha, Charlie Murphy (not that one) as Makee, Shabana Azmi as Director of ONI Admiral Margaret Parangosky, Bokeem Woodbine as Soren-066, Olive Gray as Miranda Keyes, Rafael Fernandez as UNSC Captain Jacob Keyes, and plenty others.
Having changed hands from the now-defunct Xbox Entertainment Studios with Steven Spielberg attached to executive produce back in 2013 to Showtime’s expensive 10-episode order with Kyle Killen (Lone Star, Awake, Mind Games) and Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) which eventually hit a roadblock, as previously mentioned, the upcoming adaptation has finally found a home at Paramount+. Killen has returned as a developer alongside Steven Kane (The Last Ship, Major Crimes, Alias) and Spielberg as an executive producer.
Paramount+’s Halo TV series has a scheduled release date of March 24th, 2022 – check out the official trailer now.
