SDCC: Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn official trailer for live action web series released

Being a ginormous Halo fan, I am already waiting in anticipation for Halo 4, but this gets me amp’d up even more. A few years back, there was a lot of talk about a Halo movie with Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp attached to it. Well as we all know, that never came to fruition. There has been a few other live action takes on the Halo franchise, in both commercials or even the Halo: Landfall short film, but none of them ever had Master Chief. That is about to change.

Microsoft has been pouring a crap ton of cash into Halo 4 marketing and this is no exception. They are working on a 5 episode digital series that will be released on October 5th, one per week prior to the November 6th release date of Halo 4. Also, when Halo 4 releases, an extended 90-minute Special Edition will be included with the Halo 4 Limited Edition. The Special Edition will include more footage, behind the scenes and a making-of featurette.

The series was directed by Sorority Row director, Stewart Hendler. The script was written by Aaron and Todd Helbing, who are known for their handy work on the Smallville series. Taking the helm as Master Chief will be Daniel Cudmore, which many may remember as Colossus from the X-Men films. The main UNSC cadet character is played by Australian actor, Tom Green. The web series will exclusively be shown on the Machinima Prime YouTube Channel as well as Halo Waypoint.

Judging from the trailer, it actually looks like the series might be worth watching. This is also the first time that Master Chief will appear in an official live action production. My favorite so far still has to be the Halo: Landfall video that Neill Blomkamp directed. Cross your fingers that this will give us hope that if an actual Halo movie is made, that it might really be good.

Check out the trailer below as well as a look back at past live action Halo goodness.

Here is the official word from Microsoft about the series:

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” tells an exciting story of heroism and sacrifice on a scale never before seen in the “Halo” universe, taking fans back to the beginning of the human and Covenant war and leading into the events of “Halo 4.” Set against the backdrop of a United Nations Space Command (UNSC) military academy, a group of highborn cadets are training to be the next generation of soldiers in the UNSC’s ongoing war with insurrectionists in the outer colonial planets.

Among these cadets, Thomas Lasky struggles with his doubts about this war, and with the burden of expectations he may not be able to carry. As Lasky comes to terms with his potential as a military leader, the terrifying alien alliance known as the Covenant arrives and turns his world upside down. Inspired by the Master Chief, he must decide what it means to be a hero. “Halo” fans who experience Lasky’s thrilling origin story in “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” will be rewarded with special insights into the story of “Halo 4″ and the “Halo Infinity Multiplayer” experience.

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” is backed by a top-tier production team led by executive producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively. Continuing its involvement with the “Halo” franchise, Legacy Effects (“The Hunger Games,” “The Avengers,” “Avatar”) is creating specialized costumes and armor, and visual effects are being designed by an award-winning team led by John Sullivan (“The Pacific”). Production services are provided by Herzog & Co.”