Microsoft remains undeterred by the underwhelming TV adaptation of Halo and plans to push ahead with more video game adaptations, according to Phil Spencer, head of Xbox. He confirmed that fans can look forward to additional projects in the coming years.
In a conversation with Variety ahead of the release of the Jack Black-led Minecraft movie—a major cinematic take on Microsoft’s beloved sandbox game—Spencer shared his optimism. Strong performance at the box office could pave the way for sequels.
Minecraft is only the latest Microsoft-owned game to be adapted for film or TV, following the breakout success of the Fallout series on Prime Video, which has already been renewed for a second season. In contrast, the Halo TV series struggled and was canceled after two expensive seasons failed to resonate with viewers.
Spencer explained that Microsoft has taken lessons from the Halo experience and is growing more confident in the adaptation space. As a result, the company intends to greenlight more projects moving forward.
“We're learning and building our expertise through every project, and that’s giving us the confidence to do more,” Spencer noted.
“Halo taught us valuable insights, just as Fallout did. Every adaptation builds on the last. Of course, not every project will be a hit—but for the Xbox community who enjoy this type of content, you can expect more adaptations, as we’re becoming more experienced and self-assured.”
The big question now is which Xbox game will be adapted next. Back in 2022, Netflix revealed plans for both a live-action film and an animated series based on Gears of War, though updates have been scarce since then—aside from occasional interest from MCU star Dave Bautista to play protagonist Marcus Fenix.
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Let’s speculate a little. Given the popularity of Fallout, could Prime Video consider a series based on The Elder Scrolls or Skyrim? That said, with existing fantasy hits like The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time, Amazon might feel its fantasy slate is already full.
Sony took a chance with Gran Turismo, and against expectations, the film performed well. Could Microsoft follow suit with a Forza Horizon movie?
Now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard, a Call of Duty film or another attempt at Warcraft could be on the table. In his book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, journalist Jason Schreier disclosed that Netflix had previously been developing Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo series, though those plans were shelved. Could Microsoft help breathe new life into these concepts?
On the family-friendly front, Microsoft also holds the rights to Crash Bandicoot—a natural fit for an animated film or series, especially given the box office triumphs of Mario and Sonic. Many fans would also welcome an adaptation of Fable, especially with a series reboot scheduled for 2026.
Finally, would Microsoft consider giving Halo another shot, this time as a big-budget feature film?
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s console competitors are surging ahead. Sony has scored major successes with the Uncharted movie, HBO’s The Last of Us, and a second season of Twisted Metal. The company has also confirmed a Helldivers 2 movie, a Horizon Zero Dawn adaptation, and an anime based on Ghost of Tsushima. A God of War TV series is already slated for two seasons.
As for Nintendo, it boasts the most successful video game adaptation ever—The Super Mario Bros. Movie—with a sequel in development, plus a live-action The Legend of Zelda film on the way.
