Showtime's HALO Series Hits a Bump in the Road and Loses Director Rupert Wyatt
Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) has stepped down as the director and executive producer of Showtime’s highly anticipated Halo series.
Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks said in a statement:
“Showtime’s adaptation of Halo is evolving beautifully with rich characters, compelling stories and powerful scripts. Obviously, the production demands of this series are enormous, and we have had to add time to the schedule in order to do it right. Sadly, this delay has created a conflict for Rupert, whom we warmly thank for all he has brought to the project.”
So, with the production on the series being delayed to develop it further, Wyatt just felt that he had to move on. Makes me wonder how much of a delay there will be. The series was set to begin production in early 2019, but obviously, that’s not the case anymore. Wyatt added:
“It’s with great disappointment that changes to the production schedule of Halo prevent me from continuing in my role as a director on the series. My time on Halo has been a creatively rich and rewarding experience with a phenomenal team of people. I now join the legion of fans out there, excited to see the finished series and wishing everyone involved the very best.”
The series will tell a brand new story that will not be based on any of the games. That story is said to be set in the 26th-century and will deal with the conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant. You'll also be happy to know that Master Chief will have a lead role in it.
Steven Spielberg's and his Amblin TV are producing the 10 episode series along with Awake creator and writer Kyle Killen. David Nevins, President and CEO Showtime Networks previously said:
"Halo is our most ambitious series ever, and we expect audiences who have been anticipating it for years to be thoroughly rewarded. In the history of television, there simply has never been enough great science fiction. Kyle Killen’s scripts are thrilling, expansive and provocative, Rupert Wyatt is a wonderful, world-building director, and their vision of Halo will enthrall fans of the game while also drawing the uninitiated into a world of complex characters that populate this unique universe."
Are there any directors you’d like to see come in and replace Wyatt? I’d personally love to see Neill Blomkamp (District 9) jump on board! He was originally developing a feature film adaptation with Peter Jackson years ago.