XBox Entertainment Studios is reported as being in substantial negotiations with Showtime to develop the Halo live-action series.  The project has been a high priority for Microsoft for some time, as the company has been developing the drama series adaptation of the video game franchise with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin TV company for over a year.  The company is reportedly close to a deal with two showrunners to oversee the series adaptation that will explore screenwriter Stuart Beattie's take on the universe.  As Variety reports, the deal is not seen as a straight-to-series pickup.  The plan is to debut the episodes on Showtime, with XBox airing them after a short window along with interactive options.