The failure of the TV adaptation of Halo certainly hasn't deterred Microsoft from exploring more adaptations of its video game portfolio. Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, recently affirmed to Variety that fans should anticipate more adaptations in the future. This comes ahead of the much-anticipated release of A Minecraft Movie, a cinematic adaptation starring Jack Black, based on the popular Microsoft-owned sandbox game Minecraft. If successful, this movie could pave the way for sequels, further expanding the franchise's reach.
Microsoft's venture into adapting video games into movies and TV shows continues with the highly successful Fallout series on Prime Video, which is already slated for a second season. However, the TV adaptation of Microsoft's flagship Xbox game, Halo, was met with criticism and ultimately canceled after two seasons despite its significant budget.
Phil Spencer emphasized to Variety that Microsoft has taken valuable lessons from the Halo adaptation, enhancing their confidence in the entertainment space. He stated, "We're learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more." Spencer added, "We learned from doing Halo. We learned from doing Fallout. So all of these build on themselves. And obviously, we'll have a couple that miss. But what I'd say to the Xbox community that likes this work is, 'You're going to see more, because we're gaining confidence and we're learning through this.'"
The question now is which Xbox game might be next in line for adaptation. In 2022, Netflix announced plans for a live-action film and an animated TV series based on Gears of War, though updates have been scarce, aside from MCU star Dave Bautista's interest in playing Marcus Fenix.
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Let's indulge in some fun speculation. Given the success of Fallout, could Prime Video be interested in an Elder Scrolls/Skyrim TV show? However, with The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time, Amazon might feel its fantasy genre is well-covered.
Sony's Gran Turismo movie defied expectations and succeeded. Could Microsoft greenlight a Forza Horizon movie in response?
With Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the possibilities expand. A Call of Duty movie or a new attempt at a Warcraft adaptation could be on the horizon. Jason Schreier's book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, mentioned that Activision Blizzard had series in development with Netflix for Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo, though these projects fell through. Could Microsoft revive these initiatives?
For a more family-friendly approach, Microsoft now owns Crash Bandicoot, which could be ripe for an animated movie or TV series, especially following the success of Mario and Sonic films. Additionally, Fable, set for a reboot in 2026, might be a candidate for an adaptation.
Lastly, could Microsoft consider another attempt at a Halo adaptation, this time in the form of a big-budget movie?
Microsoft's console rivals, Sony and Nintendo, have made significant strides in this arena. Sony has enjoyed success with the Uncharted movie, HBO's The Last of Us, and even Twisted Metal, which is set for a second season. Sony has also announced a Helldivers 2 movie, a movie adaptation of Guerrilla's Horizon Zero Dawn, and an anime adaptation of Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima. The God of War TV show is already planned for two seasons.
Nintendo, on the other hand, boasts the most successful video game adaptation to date with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. A sequel is in development, along with a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
