First episode of the live-action Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn web series hits the net

October 5th 2012, 12:07pm

Well, I’ve said my piece on games-to-films, but have to admit that this Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn web series looks promising. The series will premiere in 5 weekly episodes, leading up to the release of the game. It’s the most ambitious videogame promotion I’ve seen to date and is actually very impressive. Perhaps the best niche for videogame adaptations is in a series format, as film adaptations simply don’t work well in a two-hour timespan. You can watch the first full episode below and check out the rest as they premiere each week.

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Here’s the series synopsis:

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” tells a personal story of courage, sacrifice and friendship, set against the backdrop of a massive-scale invasion by the alien Covenant. With a focus on character, emotion and high-stakes drama, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” introduces young UNSC cadet Thomas Lasky to the rich storyline of the “Halo” universe. As Lasky transforms from untested student to newly forged hero by fighting to protect his academy and its students alongside the Master Chief, their fates become entwined for decades to come.

Directed by Stewart Hendler (“H+,” “Sorority Row”) and written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (“Smallville,” “Spartacus”); “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Tom Green (“Dance Academy”) as Thomas Lasky, Anna Popplewell (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) as Chyler Silva, Daniel Cudmore (“X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “The Twilight Saga”) as the Master Chief, Ayelet Zurer (“Angels & Demons,” “Munich”) as Mehaffey, Mike Dopud (“Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol”) as General Black, Enisha Brewster (“Footloose”) as April Orenski, Masam Holden (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Elizabethtown”) as Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Osric Chau (“2012”) as JJ Chen, Iain Belcher (“Supernatural”) as Vickers, and Kat De Lieva as Dimah.

An extended, 90-minute Special Edition of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, featuring additional footage and bonus content will be available Nov. 6, 2012 along with the release of Halo 4 Limited Edition, as well as Blu-ray, DVD, Xbox Video, iTunes and VOD in the U.S. and Canada.