Xbox Fans to Expect More Movie and TV Adaptations, Says Phil Spencer

Despite the disappointing reception of the TV adaptation of Halo, Microsoft remains undeterred in its pursuit of bringing more of its video game franchises to the screen. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, has expressed optimism about future adaptations, citing the company's ongoing learning and growth in this area.

In a recent interview with Variety, Spencer discussed the upcoming release of "A Minecraft Movie," a cinematic adaptation of the popular Microsoft-owned game, starring Jack Black. The success of this film could pave the way for sequels, further expanding the franchise's reach.

Microsoft's journey into video game adaptations has seen mixed results. The Fallout series on Prime Video has been a resounding success, with a second season already in the works. However, the Halo TV series, despite its high budget, was canceled after two seasons due to poor reception.

Spencer emphasized that Microsoft is learning from both its successes and failures. "We’re learning and growing through this process, which is giving us more confidence that we should do more," he stated. He acknowledged the lessons learned from Halo and Fallout, indicating that these experiences are building a foundation for future projects. "We learned from doing Halo. We learned from doing Fallout. So all of these build on themselves. And obviously we’ll have a couple that miss. But what I’d say to the Xbox community that likes this work is, ‘You’re going to see more, because we’re gaining confidence and we’re learning through this.’"

Looking ahead, speculation abounds about which Xbox game might be next in line for adaptation. In 2022, Netflix announced plans for a live-action film and an animated series based on Gears of War, though updates have been sparse. MCU star Dave Bautista has expressed interest in portraying Marcus Fenix, adding to the anticipation.

Upcoming New Video Game Movies and TV Shows: 2025 Release Dates and Beyond

48 Images

Given the success of Fallout, there's speculation that Prime Video might consider an Elder Scrolls/Skyrim TV show. However, with existing fantasy series like The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time, Amazon might feel its fantasy slate is already full.

Sony's success with the Gran Turismo movie suggests that Microsoft might consider a Forza Horizon film. With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft could explore adaptations of Call of Duty or revisit the Warcraft franchise. 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 later abandoned. Microsoft's involvement could potentially revive these projects.

On a lighter note, Microsoft's ownership of Crash Bandicoot could lead to a family-friendly animated movie or TV series, following the success of Mario and Sonic adaptations. The upcoming reboot of Fable in 2026 might also be ripe for adaptation.

Finally, there's the question of whether Microsoft might give Halo another chance, this time as a big-budget movie.

Microsoft's competitors, Sony and Nintendo, are further along in their adaptation efforts. Sony has seen success with the Uncharted movie, HBO's The Last of Us, and the upcoming second season of Twisted Metal. Sony has also announced adaptations for Helldivers 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Ghost of Tsushima, with the God of War TV show already slated for two seasons.

Nintendo, meanwhile, boasts the most successful video game adaptation to date with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and is working on a sequel and a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.