Showtime has found their Master Chief for the upcoming HALO television series in Pablo Schreiber. Upon boarding the project, the SKYSCRAPER and ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK alum will lead an adventure that finds Earth’s most advanced warrior stationed in the 26th century and leading the charge against the Covenant, a vicious alien race whose prime directive is the destruction of humanity.
After scouring places like the Fathom Station, the Pillar of Autumn, and even the Holy City of High Charity, Showtime had found its director for the long-gestating HALO television series in British filmmaker Otto Bathurst. As per the deal, Bathurst will helm several episodes of the live-action series which is based on the best-selling Halo video game franchise from Bungie and Xbox Game Studios. Bathurst will also executive produce the show alongside AWAKE and THE BEAVER scribe Kyle Killen, who boarded the project as its writer, executive producer and showrunner. Showtime is also producing as part of their partnership with 343 Industries. Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television is also getting in on the action with plans to help produce nine episodes of the upcoming series.
Also arriving as part of the HALO cast is newcomer Yerin Ha (THE CHANGELING, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN), who is set to play a new character to the Halo universe. As Quan Ah, Ha will act as a shrewd, audacious 16-year-old from the Outer Colonies who meets Master Chief at a fateful time for them both.
The first installment of the Halo video game series arrived in 2001 with Microsoft's release of Halo: Combat Evolved. Since that time, the Halo franchise has been expanded by way of several gaming sequels, internet shorts, novels, and strategy-based board games. All told, the Halo franchise has sold more than 77 million units worldwide and has grossed over $60 billion dollars in the time that it's remained a favorite among FPS and RTS video game enthusiasts.
With Schreiber now set to play Master Chief, the series will begin its production this Fall in Budapest, Hungary.