At the turn of the millennium, when Microsoft geared up its entry into the home gaming market, they needed killer-app titles for their debut Xbox console. Developer Bungie took up the call, giving Microsoft Xbox and the world “Halo: Combat Evolved” in 2001. That videogame gave birth to a multimedia giant, with books, comics, an animated series and even inroads towards live-action production. A movie project was attempted, but thus far only two web series have been completed. A full live-action series was announced for Showtime, then moved to Paramount+ streaming. After filming began last year, the first trailer was released, revealing its premiere date.

The Verge reports that Paramount+ has put up two previews for their TV series adaptation of Microsoft Xbox game franchise “Halo.” The first was a mere 1-minute teaser, intercutting scenes from a full trailer with a reminder to watch the whole version. Said long trailer would premiere during Halftime at the NFL AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals on January 30. It was then put up on Twitter for social media to enjoy. The “Halo” series adapts into live-action the hit Xbox game franchise, from the start of the story.

The trailer shows the series set in the galaxy during the 26th Century, when humans have spread from Earth across numerous colony planets. On one of these worlds, humanity encounters a highly-advanced theocratic alien alliance called the Covenant. For seemingly random reasons the Covenant declares the existence of mankind as a sin against their religion, and launches a campaign of genocide. Spearheading the UNSC’s desperate resistance against Covenant attacks are the Spartans, genetically augmented super-soldiers wearing powered armor. A Spartan-II, MCPO John-117 (“Master Chief”), makes contact with a buried artifact the Covenant was excavating, then encounters an AI named Cortana that is assigned to him.

“Halo” the series stars Pablo Schreiber (“American Gods”) as Master Chief, Natascha McElhone as Spartan-II program director Dr. Halsey, Yerin Ha as Kwan Ha Boo, Shaban Azmi as Admiral Paragonsky, Rafael Fernandez as Capt. Jacob Keyes, Olive Gray as Miranda Keyes, Bokeem Woodbine, Kate Kennedy, Natasha Kulzac and Bentley Kalu as other Spartans, and Jen Taylor reprising her voice role in the Xbox games as Cortana. Steven Spielberg is among the executive producers for Amblin Television, with writers/show-runners Kyle Killen and Steven Kane. The trailer reveals “Halo” will premiere on Paramount+ streaming this March 24.

Image courtesy of Entertainment Weekly