Xbox Fans to Expect More Movie and TV Adaptations, Says Phil Spencer
The disappointing reception of the TV adaptation of Halo hasn't deterred Microsoft from exploring further adaptations of its video game franchises. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, shared with Variety his enthusiasm for future projects, especially with the upcoming release of "A Minecraft Movie," a cinematic adaptation of the popular Microsoft-owned game Minecraft, starring Jack Black. If successful, this film could lead to sequels, expanding the universe further on the big screen.
Microsoft's journey into media adaptations continues following the success of the "Fallout" series on Prime Video, which is set to return for a second season. However, the "Halo" TV series, despite its high budget, was canceled after two seasons due to poor reception. Spencer acknowledged that Microsoft is learning from these experiences, which is boosting their confidence to pursue more adaptations.
"We're learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more," Spencer stated. He emphasized the lessons learned from both "Halo" and "Fallout," suggesting that while some projects might not meet expectations, the overall trajectory is positive. Spencer reassured the Xbox community that more adaptations are on the horizon as Microsoft gains confidence and learns from each project.
Looking ahead, speculation abounds about which Xbox game could be next in line for adaptation. Netflix's announcement of a live-action film and an animated series based on "Gears of War" in 2022 has been met with silence, aside from actor Dave Bautista's interest in playing Marcus Fenix.
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Given the success of "Fallout," there's speculation that Prime Video might consider adapting "The Elder Scrolls" or "Skyrim" into a TV series. However, with Amazon already producing "The Rings of Power" and "The Wheel of Time," they may feel their fantasy genre is well-covered.
Sony's success with the "Gran Turismo" movie has sparked interest in whether Microsoft might greenlight a "Forza Horizon" film. Additionally, with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, there's potential for adaptations of "Call of Duty" or another attempt at a "Warcraft" movie. Jason Schreier's book, "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," mentioned that Netflix had series in development for "Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo," which were later abandoned. Microsoft's involvement could possibly revive these projects.
For a more family-friendly option, Microsoft now owns the "Crash Bandicoot" franchise, which could be ripe for an animated movie or TV series, especially given the success of films like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Sonic the Hedgehog." Furthermore, with "Fable" set for a reboot in 2026, there's speculation about a potential adaptation.
Lastly, despite the TV series' failure, there's curiosity about whether Microsoft might attempt a big-budget movie adaptation of "Halo."
Microsoft's competitors, Sony and Nintendo, are also advancing in this space. Sony has seen success with "Uncharted," "The Last of Us," and "Twisted Metal," and has announced adaptations for "Helldivers 2," "Horizon Zero Dawn," and "Ghost of Tsushima," along with a two-season commitment for "God of War." Nintendo, on the other hand, boasts the highest-grossing video game adaptation with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," and is working on a sequel and a live-action "The Legend of Zelda" film.
