Microsoft Gaming Boss Phil Spencer Says Xbox Fans Will See More Movie and TV Show Adaptations, Despite the Failure of Halo — So What's Next?

Despite the lackluster reception and subsequent cancellation of the TV adaptation of Halo after two seasons, Microsoft remains undeterred in its pursuit of transforming its video game franchises into movies and TV shows. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, emphasized this commitment in a recent interview with Variety, ahead of the launch of "A Minecraft Movie," a cinematic adaptation of the popular sandbox game featuring Jack Black. Spencer expressed optimism about the project, hinting that success could lead to sequels.

Microsoft's venture into video game adaptations isn't new. The company has seen success with the "Fallout" series on Prime Video, which is already set for a second season. However, the experience with Halo has been a learning curve for Microsoft. Spencer acknowledged that the company is gaining valuable insights and confidence from these endeavors, saying, "We’re learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more."

He further elaborated on the learning process, stating, "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.’"

Looking ahead, speculation abounds on which Xbox game might be next in line for an adaptation. Netflix had previously announced plans for a live-action film and an animated series based on "Gears of War," but updates have been scarce, aside from actor Dave Bautista's expressed interest in portraying Marcus Fenix.

Upcoming New Video Game Movies and TV Shows: 2025 Release Dates and Beyond

48 Images

Given the success of "Fallout," there's speculation that Prime Video might be interested in adapting "The Elder Scrolls" or "Skyrim" into a TV show. However, with Amazon's current slate of fantasy shows like "The Rings of Power" and "The Wheel of Time," they might feel the genre is well-represented.

Sony's successful adaptation of "Gran Turismo" into a movie suggests that Microsoft might consider a similar approach with "Forza Horizon." With Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, there's potential for a "Call of Duty" movie or another attempt at a "Warcraft" adaptation. Jason Schreier's book "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment" revealed that Activision Blizzard had been developing series for "Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo" with Netflix, projects that could be revived under Microsoft's guidance.

For a more family-friendly project, Microsoft could explore an animated adaptation of "Crash Bandicoot," capitalizing on the success of similar franchises like Mario and Sonic. Additionally, with "Fable" set for a reboot in 2026, an adaptation of this beloved series could also be on the horizon.

Finally, there's the question of whether Microsoft might attempt another adaptation of "Halo," this time as a big-budget movie.

Microsoft's competitors, Sony and Nintendo, are also making significant strides in this space. Sony has enjoyed success with the "Uncharted" movie, HBO's "The Last of Us," and "Twisted Metal," which is set for a second season. Sony has also announced adaptations for "Helldivers 2," "Horizon Zero Dawn," and "Ghost of Tsushima," with "God of War" slated for two seasons. Nintendo, meanwhile, has the highest-grossing video game adaptation with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," and is working on a sequel as well as a live-action "The Legend of Zelda" film.