According to “trusted sources” at Latino Review, Microsoft Studios and Steven Spielberg have found someone to direct the pilot of their highly anticipated Halo television series – District 9 and Elysium director, Neill Blomkamp.
Does that pairing sound familiar? Blomkamp has been linked to the Halo franchise since 2007 when he directed a series of live-action short films to promote the release of Halo 3. He was also slated to direct a Halo feature film along side producer Peter Jackson but the film was ultimately cancelled. Blomkamp has said on multiple occasions that he would not likely return to the Halo franchise, but it seems like someone has had a change of heart.
While the announcement is still just a rumor, the prospect of Blomkamp’s return to the Halo universe has people excited. 2009’s District 9 put Blomkamp on the map as a promising name in science fiction and his latest film Elysium has only helped to solidify that claim.
Blomkamp is currently directing Chappie, a sci-fi comedy starring Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel and Sigourney Weaver. The film is slated for a 2015 release, which raises questions about when Blomkamp will have the time to get the Halo series up and running. Microsoft’s Nancy Tellem has said to expect the series in the second quarter of 2014, but release dates change all the time.
The Halo television series was originally announced last May during the Xbox One reveal, but the project has remained relatively quiet until now. Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny the rumor, so be sure to take this news with a grain of salt. It wouldn’t be the first time Halo fans have gotten their hopes up only to be disappointed.
