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Here’s some news of literal epic proportions: In what Showtime is calling its “most ambitious” series to date, the cabler has placed a 10-episode order for a live-action adaptation of the Xbox video game phenom Halo. Kyle Killen (Lone Star, Awake) will serve as Ep, writer and showrunner of the series, with Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) directing multiple installments. Both will serve as EPs alongside Steve Spielberg. Production is slated to begin in early 2019.

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because back in 2013 MSN announced that it was moving forward with a live-action Halo adaptation,...

Steven Spielberg is taking on the "Halo" videogame franchise. The "Indiana Jones" director will executive-produce a live-action series based on the "Halo" series for the new console Xbox One, Xbox said Tuesday. Also read: 'Burning Love,' 'Halo' Take Top awards at 2013 Streamys The series was announced as the company revealed the new console on Tuesday. The live-action "Halo," which will include exclusive interactive Xbox One content, is being created in partnership with 343 Industries and Xbox Entertainment Studios. Related Articles: ...

Master Chief, prepare for your TV debut. Microsoft announced today that they, along with legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, are developing a live-action TV series based on the world of Halo. "The Halo universe is an amazing opportunity to be at that intersection where technology and myth-making meet to produce something truly groundbreaking," Spielberg said in a pretaped video during Microsoft's official reveal of the Xbox One. "Halo has always been more than a game," 343 Industries' Bonnie Ross added while announcing the series. The Halo series will be commissioned exclusively for Xbox Live. Release date is yet to be determined, but we can just go ahead and...

New York -- Video game giant Activision Blizzard has struck a 10-year deal with game developer and "Halo" creator Bungie to launch "the next big action game universe."

Financial terms weren't disclosed, but Activision has the exclusive global rights to the new game franchise across platforms and devices.

The companies also didn't disclose a title or likely timing of game releases.

Bungie split off from Microsoft Corp., where it created "Halo," in 2007. The studio also developed "Myth" and "Marathon." Activision called Bungie "one of the industry's most creative, successful and proven studios," highlighting that its games have sold more than 25 million units.

Just a week after the spectacular launch of Halo 3, the developer of the game, Bungie Studios, announced it is splitting away from Microsoft and to once again become an independent company.

Microsoft bought then Chicago-based Bungie back in 2000 and the original Halo game was one of the launch titles for Microsoft's Xbox, its first foray into the console gaming world. Since then the Halo franchise has sold nearly 15 million games, with Halo 3 reaching $300 million in global sales in its first week on the market.

While financial details weren't disclosed, both sides said Bungie's decision to leave the Microsoft nest was amicable, with Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim, noting in a statement, "We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through Halo-related titles and new IP created by Bungie."

Kim also stressed that the Halo license is staying with Microsoft, adding, "We will continue to invest in our Halo entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson, on a new interactive series set in the 'Halo' universe."

One source familiar with the situation said the success of Halo obviously played a role in Bungie's desire to once again be out on its own, but said Bungie's move was a win-win for both sides.

Peter Jackson is expanding his relationship with Microsoft Games Studio by creating a video game studio and confirming two upcoming titles. The Academy Award-winning filmmaker already serves as the executive producer for the upcoming 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures Halo movie, based on Microsoft-owned Bungie Studio's best-selling game franchise. Now he and screenwriter Fran Walsh have partnered with Microsoft to create Wingnut Interactive Studio, a New Zealand-based video game studio that will develop exclusive new properties for Microsoft's Xbox 360 next generation console. Jackson, who recently picked first-time director Neill Blomkamp to helm the Halo movie, will delve further into the sci-fi intellectual property through an original Halo game that will be completely separate from Halo 3, which Microsoft already has announced will ship next year for Xbox 360. Jackson and Walsh will work with Bungie through Wingnut Interactive to develop a new Halo game aimed at the mass market. The as-yet-untitled game, which Jackson said has been in development for a year, is not expected to ship until 2008, after Halo 3. Bungie will develop the game with creative input, writing and direction done in cooperation with Wingnut Interactive.

NEW YORK -- Microsoft posted a decline in fiscal fourth-quarter profit Thursday that it largely attributed to production costs associated with its Xbox 360 video game console. Net income for the quarter reached $2.8 billion compared with $3.7 billion a year ago. Revenue rose 16% to $11.8 billion. The firm's home and entertainment segment -- which includes the Xbox 360 and its predecessor, the Xbox, along with a portfolio of games for PC and consoles like the top-selling Halo franchise -- reached $1.1 billion, a 94% year-over-year increase. Microsoft shipped 1.8 million Xbox 360 consoles during the fourth quarter. The firm beat rivals like Sony and its forthcoming PlayStation 3, to market by several months.

20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures are teaming up to make a feature film adaptation of the Microsoft video game Halo. Negotiations still were under way at press time Thursday, but under the deal, Universal will take domestic rights and Fox will handle international on the project. Further components could be included in the agreement. The deal -- based on a script by 28 Days Later scribe Alex Garland -- caused a stir earlier in the week when CAA sent it out via a messenger clad in a Halo-esque green costume. The deal came bearing some pretty stiff terms, including a two-hour bidding period and demands for $10 million against 15% of the gross. The script was commissioned by Microsoft, which also brought in producer Peter Schlessel to work on the project.