Paramount's Halo: Release Date, Cast, And Trailer - What We Know So Far
"Halo" is the beloved Xbox video game series that first debuted in 2001 and is still going strong two decades later, with its latest installment, "Halo Infinite," being released in 2021. For those who aren't familiar with the gameplay or the mechanics, you play as a futuristic foot soldier in an interstellar war, battling aliens in the conflict between humans and The Covenant, following the rediscovery of the titular Halo rings.
The franchise weaves a thought-provoking narrative with many twists and turns and certainly makes for a compelling premise for a live-action adaptation. It's got the epic action and visuals of a blockbuster, with a rich story, dynamic characters, and complex worldbuilding that will keep audiences engaged. Thankfully, fans are finally getting the long-anticipated "Halo" TV series on the streamer Paramount+. Read on to find out when fans will get to watch the series, who will be bringing these iconic characters to life, and where you can get a first look at the galactic epic.
What is the release date of Paramount's Halo?
The "Halo" TV series has been in development for a good long while. When projects like these get delayed for so long, it's often referred to as "development hell," and not many projects stuck in such a tough spot ever see the light of day. Four years ago, the series was supposed to complete production and get released on SHOWTIME in 2019 (via Kotaku). Then it got pushed back to 2020 (via IGN). Then it got pushed back to 2022 and switched over to the newer Paramount+ streaming service.
Thankfully, we now know that fans won't have to wait much longer to see this project come to life. According to the official Paramount+ Twitter account, the "Halo" TV series will release on Thursday, March 24, 2022. It's unclear if all episodes will drop at once or if they will have a staggered release. There's plenty of time between now and the end of March to keep generating hype, so hopefully, we'll see more trailers and further glimpses into the adaptation.
Who is in the cast of Paramount's Halo?
Hiding under the iconic helmet of lead character Master Chief is Pablo Schreiber, who is best known for playing George "Pornstache" Mendez in "Orange Is the New Black," as well as Mad Sweeney in "American Gods." Natascha McElhone of "Californication" and "Designated Survivor" fame also stars as Dr. Catherine Halsey. Devoted "Halo" fans will be thrilled to hear Jen Taylor's familiar voice as AI companion Cortana, as she's the same actor who voices the character in the video games (though many are upset about Cortana's new look). Other major characters from the video game franchise that will be in the series include Captain Jacob Keyes, played by Danny Sapani ("Penny Dreadful"), Miranda Keyes (Olive Gray), Soren-066 (Bokeem Woodbine), and Margaret Parangosky (Shabana Azmi).
There are also some new faces and names that video game fans aren't familiar with. Newcomer Yerin Ha will play the new character Quan Ah, a young woman from the Outer Colonies that appears to have a pretty major role and connection to Master Chief. Kai-125 (Kate Kennedy) and Riz-028 (Natasha Culzac) are also new characters.
One particularly interesting and somewhat controversial new character is Makee, played by Charlie Murphy ("Peaky Blinders"). In a casting announcement in Variety, the character is described as "an orphaned human who was raised by the alien Covenant and shares their contempt for humanity." Some fans on social media are taking issue with the anti-human Covenant raising a human, while others are intrigued by the concept. We'll have to see how it plays out in the series, but no one can deny her outfit on High Charity looks awesome.
Is there a trailer for Paramount's Halo?
Yes, there absolutely is a trailer out for Paramount's "Halo." It dropped earlier today on YouTube and was prominently featured during the AFC Championship halftime show. The trailer is a little over two minutes long, and it's visually stunning enough that even those who aren't familiar with the popular video game franchise might just be intrigued to watch.
The trailer sets up the plot right away: Master Chief is a biologically enhanced super-soldier known as a Spartan, who Dr. Halsey emphasizes is a "controllable" weapon in service of humanity. The trailer sees Master Chief touch a mysterious object that makes him become self-aware and start questioning his existence as a ruthless killing machine. We also see what looks like Quan Ah's homeland under attack, Makee telling her fellow humans to surrender to the Covenant, and Cortana introducing herself to Master Chief. The trailer is underscored by a dramatic cover of the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight" and concludes with Master Chief uttering the tagline of the series: "Find the halo, win the war."