Steven Spielberg and Microsoft developing a live-action 'Halo' TV series for Xbox Live

Earlier today Microsoft finally got around to revealing their latest video game system, the terribly-named Xbox One. Like the Xbox 360 before it, they've been hyping it as an entertainment hub, a sort of all-encompassing system for console gaming, live television, movies, pretty much every form of media one could imagine. With Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu venturing into their own scripted television series, it made sense that Microsoft would want to follow along that path, and now we know they'll be doing it through their most popular game franchise, Halo, and with the help of Steven Spielberg.

A new live-action Halo TV series is being developed with Spielberg exec-producing, although the Xbox Twitter account suggested for awhile that he would be directing. Either way, Spielberg is involved, working alongside game studio 343 Studios. A Halo feature film had been in development for years beginning back in 2005, with Peter Jackson producing, Alex Garland (28 Days Later) penning the script, and a then-unknown Neill Blomkamp (District 9) directing. Behind-the-scenes issues mostly involving the budget blew that shit up with the quickness, although fans still talk about it as one of those legendary projects that never came to be.

The new show will air on the Xbox Live service, as expected, so this is a pretty damn good incentive to renew your gold memberships. Halo is by its very nature, an extremely dramatic and cinematic game, and the story of Master Chief's battle with the alien Covenant perfect for the serial format. Maybe now I'll get around to finishing Halo 4.  So, who do we think should play Master Chief?