Halo TV Series Could Be In Trouble For Season 2
After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Paramount is finally moving ahead with its planned Halo TV series. Away from the many stalled iterations of a Halo movie, a Halo TV series has faced an equally troubled time. As we head toward its planned 2022 release as part of Paramount+, there are already signs that it won't be smooth sailing for long.
A Halo series was originally set to release under Steven Spielberg in 2015, that date came and went, with the project eventually being reworked alongside Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Rupert Wyatt at the helm.
2019 was supposed to see Halo finally come to the small screen, but with a whole new team and cast, it's back on track for next year.
What's the problem with the Halo TV series Season 2?
Assuming Halo will be the success everyone wants it to be, it's likely it'll be renewed for Season 2. Hoping to become the next Game of Thrones, Halo could cash in on the success of recent video game adaptations like The Witcher and equally high hopes for The Last of Us. If Halo Season 2 is on the way, showrunner Steven Kane says he won't return.
According to Variety, Kane is leaving Budapest for "personal reasons" and wants to head back to the USA. Kane was first attached to Halo back in 2019 and will continue to oversee the show's "post-production process", however, this will be the end of his Halo journey.
Kyle Killen was originally attached as showrunner and was set to lead with Kane by his side. Variety confirms that Killen left during pre-production because he felt like he couldn't handle the responsibilities of the series. If Halo gets the green light for Season 2, someone else will have to step up to the plate to take over from Kane.
What else do we know about the Halo series Season 2?
At the time of writing, Halo is yet to be commissioned for Season 2. When it comes to the first season, Orange is the New Black's Pablo Schrieber heads up the cast as the iconic Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. The Truman Show's Natasha McElhone plays Spartan-II Project creator Dr. Catherine Halsey, Spider-Man: Homecoming's Bokeem Woodbine is Soren-066, and Jen Taylor reprises her role as the AI called Cortana from the games.
Schreiber has already given fans a first glimpse of Master Chief's helmet, and Halo seems to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved lore. The news about a new showrunner isn't the best sign for a potential Season 2. Just like Frank Darabont being replaced on The Walking Dead and Bryan Fuller of American Gods, a change of showrunner often leads to a noticeable change in style and aesthetic.
None of this really matters if Halo doesn't make it through its first season. As the loose release date of "early 2022" looms closer, we'll have to wait and see whether the Halo series lives up to its potential.
