Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn live-action series launched

Microsoft and 343 Industries have announce the series première of the live-action series, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn,” on Machinima’s new premium channel, Machinima Prime, and Halo Waypoint. The digital series will lead up to the launch of the Halo 4 video game.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn tells a story of heroism and sacrifice, 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, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn follows a group of cadets who 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 the 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.

The story will unfold weekly through a series of five episodes, setting the stage for the worldwide launch of Halo 4 on 6th November.

Directed by Stewart Hendler (“H+,” “Sorority Row”), written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (“Smallville,” “Spartacus”) and backed by a top-tier production team, including Executive Producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Daniel Cudmore (“X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 & 2”) as the Master Chief, Anna Popplewell (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) as Chyler Silva, Tom Green (“Dance Academy”) as Thomas Lasky, and Ayelet Zurer (“Angels & Demons,” “Munich”) as Mehaffey.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is produced in association with Emmy-winning production company Herzog & Company/HCO (Gettysburg and the forthcoming Killing Lincoln). 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 created by Toronto-based Arc Productions bring the Halo universe to life. Emmy-winner John Sullivan (“The Pacific”) is serving as the Visual Effects Supervisor for the production.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn – Special Edition is available as part of the Halo 4 Limited Edition game bundle. The Special Edition is an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series. In addition to exclusive packaging, there is a wealth of in-game content, including Specializations, armour and weapon skins, and access to nine upcoming multiplayer maps available post-launch.

The Halo 4 Limited Edition also includes the following bonus content for Forward Unto Dawn:

In-fiction content expanding the characters and stories of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”
Special Featurette: “Bringing Gaming into Reality”
Making of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”