We told you back in May about Machinima Prime and Microsoft‘s live action web series entitled Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, five 15-minute shorts leading up to the release of the blockbuster sci-fi shooter Halo 4 on November 6. At Comic-Con, where seemingly everything that we love is born, the first official full-length trailer was released. Of course, we have it here for you, right now:
Trailer: Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn – First Official Full-Length
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca3Y8Ws3plI&hd=1[/youtube]
Microsoft has also released a great deal of much-more-detailed information about the series, as well as a Special Edition of the series to be released with the Limited Edition of Halo 4, in this press release:
‘Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn’ Trailer Premieres at Comic-Con
Official trailer for the groundbreaking live-action digital series debuts, igniting anticipation for its worldwide premiere on Oct. 5.
SAN DIEGO — July 12, 2012 — Today at San Diego Comic-Con International, the world’s largest pop culture convention, 343 Industries and Microsoft Corp. unveiled the official trailer for Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, the landmark live-action digital series based on the best-selling Xbox franchise. The series will be initially distributed worldwide by Machinima, debuting on its new channel, Machinima Prime, as well as on Halo Waypoint, on Oct. 5, 2012. Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn will unfold through a series of five episodes, setting the stage for the worldwide launch of Halo 4 on Nov. 6. The official Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn trailer is now available on Machinima Prime (http://www.youtube.com/MachinimaPrime) and on Halo Waypoint (http://halo.xbox.com/ForwardUntoDawn). Machinima will also be releasing exclusive content, backstory and character pieces leading up to the launch of this highly anticipated 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.
Directed by Stewart Hendler (H+, Sorority Row) and written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (Smallville, Spartacus), Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Tom Green (Dance Academy) as Thomas Lasky, Anna Popplewell (The Chronicles of Narnia) as Chyler Silva, Daniel Cudmore (X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Twilight Saga) as the Master Chief, Ayelet Zurer (Angels & Demons, Munich) as Mehaffey, Mike Dopud (Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol) as General Black, Enisha Brewster (Footloose) as April Orenski, Masam Holden (Grey’s Anatomy, Elizabethtown) as Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Osric Chau (2012) as JJ Chen, Iain Belcher (Supernatural) as Vickers, and Kat De Lieva as Dimah.
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.
An extended, 90-minute Special Edition featuring additional footage and bonus content will be available Nov. 6 in the Halo 4 Limited Edition and on on-demand video services.
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition. Available as part of the Halo 4 Limited Edition game bundle for $99.99* (U.S.), the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition is an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series that will bring the Halo universe to life as you’ve never seen it.
Halo 4 Limited Edition also includes the following bonus content:
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
About Halo 4
Launching worldwide on Nov. 6, 2012, Halo 4 marks the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries exclusively for Xbox 360, Halo 4 ushers in the return of mankind’s greatest hero, the Master Chief, in a newly envisioned, epic sci-fi adventure.
As one of the biggest video game franchises in history, the Halo series has sold more than 42 million games worldwide to date, generating nearly $3 billion in total franchise sales and inspiring multiple New York Times best-selling novels, live-action features, comic books, action figures, apparel and more.
About 343 Industries
343 Industries is the publisher and developer of the blockbuster Halo series of videogames and, as part of Microsoft Studios, oversees the Halo franchise, including novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel and more. 343 Industries is home to world-class developers working on the Halo Reclaimer Saga, which commences with the arrival of Halo 4 on Nov. 6, 2012, exclusively on Xbox 360.
About Xbox
Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. It’s home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of music, movies, TV and sports. With Kinect, Xbox 360 transformed gaming and entertainment in the living room with a whole new way to play games and find entertainment — no controller required. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.
About Machinima
Machinima is the dominant video entertainment network for serious gamers around the world. The number one entertainment channel on YouTube, Machinima serves over 1.7 billion video views a month, and reaches over 183 million gamers monthly. Machinima’s global content network features official publisher content, gameplay videos and original content, including over 20 original weekly shows, all aimed at the coveted 18 – 34 year old male demographic. Machinima is fast-becoming a global phenomenon with an ability to capture a cultural sensibility and awareness among a next generation of entertainment consumers and marketers alike. The company is backed by MK Capital and Redpoint Ventures, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* Estimated retail price. Actual retailer prices may vary.
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn premieres on Oct. 5, 2012 on Machinima Prime and Halo Waypoint.
