The less-than-stellar performance of the TV adaptation of Halo hasn't deterred Microsoft from exploring further adaptations of its video games. According to Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, fans can look forward to more projects in the future. Spencer shared these insights with Variety in anticipation of the release of "A Minecraft Movie," a big-screen adaptation of the popular Microsoft-owned sandbox game, starring Jack Black. High expectations surround this film, and a successful launch could pave the way for sequels.
Microsoft's venture into adapting its video games into movies and TV shows continues to grow, following the highly successful "Fallout" series on Prime Video, which is already set for a second season. However, the TV adaptation of Microsoft's flagship Xbox game, Halo, faced cancellation after two seasons that were met with criticism.
Phil Spencer emphasized that Microsoft is learning from each project, including Halo and Fallout, which is boosting their confidence in this domain. "We're learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more," Spencer told Variety. He acknowledged that not all adaptations will be successful, but reassured the Xbox community that more projects are on the horizon as they continue to learn and improve.
The next Xbox game adaptation remains a topic of speculation. In 2022, Netflix announced plans for a live-action film and an animated TV series based on "Gears of War," though updates have been scarce except for actor Dave Bautista's interest in playing Marcus Fenix.
Upcoming New Video Game Movies and TV Shows: 2025 Release Dates and Beyond
48 Images
Speculation abounds on what could be next. Given the success of "Fallout," could Prime Video be interested in an "Elder Scrolls" or "Skyrim" TV show? However, Amazon's involvement in other fantasy series like "The Rings of Power" and "The Wheel of Time" might influence their decision. Sony's success with the "Gran Turismo" movie suggests that a "Forza Horizon" film could be on Microsoft's radar.
With Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, possibilities include 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 Netflix had been developing series for "Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo," which were eventually abandoned. Could Microsoft revive these projects?
On a lighter note, Microsoft now owns "Crash Bandicoot," which could be ripe for an animated movie or TV series, following the success of "Mario" and "Sonic" on the big screen. "Fable," set for a reboot in 2026, also presents an exciting opportunity for adaptation.
And could Microsoft give "Halo" another chance with a big-budget movie?
Microsoft's console rivals, Sony and Nintendo, are also advancing in this space. Sony has seen success with "Uncharted," "The Last of Us," and "Twisted Metal," with more projects like a "Helldivers 2" movie, a "Horizon Zero Dawn" movie, and an anime adaptation of "Ghost of Tsushima" in the pipeline. "God of War" is already slated for two seasons.
Nintendo boasts the most successful video game adaptation with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," and is working on a sequel along with a live-action "The Legend of Zelda" adaptation.
