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Given how long a live-actionHalotelevision series — or movie, for that matter — has spent indevelopment limbo, it’s reasonable for fans to be a little skeptical of any news surrounding the project, and the latest report certainly won’t inspire additional confidence.
Rise of the Planet of the Apesdirector Rupert Wyatt has reportedly exited the project due to scheduling conflicts, leaving the series in search of someone to helm the multiple episodes Wyatt was attached to direct.
“It’s with great disappointment that changes to the production schedule ofHaloprevent me from continuing in my role as a director on the series,” Wyatt said in a statement published byThe Hollywood Reporter. “My time onHalohas been a creatively rich and rewarding experience with a phenomenal team of people. I now join the legion of fans out there, excited to see the finished series and wishing everyone involved the very best.”
Previously, the series appeared to be gaining momentum, withShowtimeoffering some updates onHaloduring the Television Critics Association press tour that suggested it was well on its way to production.
The first 10-episode season is expected to feature Halo franchise protagonist Master Chief in a lead role, according to Showtime’s President of Programming Gary Levine. As reported byIGN, Master Chief won’t be the only protagonist on the series, and the show will tell a new story — rather than retell the narrative of the games — while being “incredibly respectful of the canon.”
As fans of the franchise are well aware, Master Chief’s face has never been revealed in the games, with his iconic helmet the primary identifying characteristic for the franchise’s alien-fighting hero. Asked whether audiences would finally see his face, Levine said, “[That] is a key question and an important part of our series, is all I’ll say.”
Behind the camera,Mind GamesandAwakeseries creator and writerKyle Killenwill serve as head writer and showrunner onHalo.
“We made a conscious decision to hire a writer not known for sci-fi and not known for big battle movies, because that’s already baked into the Halo franchise and we will service that,” Levine said of the network’s reasons for hiring Killen. “We also wanted to ensure that we were getting beneath the formidable armor of the Spartans and really getting inside the team drama so it felt like it belonged on Showtime.”
Previously, the Halo franchise was adapted for the animated seriesHalo: The Fall of Reachand the live-action digital seriesHalo: Nightfall— the latter of which was produced by Ridley Scott and starredLuke Cagelead actor Mike Colter.
Showtime’sHaloseries is currently expected to begin production later this year, but there are no cast members officially announced at this point. A premiere date for the series hasn’t been announced, either, but reports suggest that the show won’t air until 2020.
Updated on June 17, 2025: Added news of Rupert Wyatt’s departure from the project.
