Work on the long-awaited Halo TV series is still underway, with Showtime announcing Otto Bathurst as its latest director. Famed for work on Black Mirror and Robin Hood, Bathurst lands his role amid rumors of series mired in development hell. While first unveiled back in 2013 with ties to Steven Spielberg, it's the latest restructure promising filming "later this year."

Early talk of the project's cancellation circulated in 2017, with Microsoft confirming it remains alive and well. Although production was later reported to start 2018, preparations for the series endure at Showtime. And with Bathurst's strong prior work, he could be a promising new addition to the franchise.

Details remain scarce on the Halo TV series, currently set for nine-episodes. The iconic Master Chief will play a lead role alongside more protagonists to be later detailed. Hopes remain high for Showtime's spin on the universe, even with the mixed response of past live-action projects like Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn and Halo: Nightfall. We'll have to wait and see whether Bathurst, Spielberg, Showtime, and Microsoft can follow through on these promises.