Halo is an epic new series from Paramount+, adapted from the incredibly popular video game franchise by the same name. The story follows a cybernetically enhanced super-soldier known as Master Chief, who defends humanity from the alien Covenant in the 26th century. The video game title has sold over 81 million copies since its initial release in 2001, becoming one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, so naturally fans are going over the live-action adaptation with a fine tooth comb.
We spoke with stars Jen Taylor, who has plenty of experience working on the game, and Yerin Ha, who is new to the world of Halo, about what it takes to transfer a character from one medium to another. Check out the compilation video of Screen Rant's various interviews with the cast, and read the full transcript below:
Screen Rant: Jen, you've been in this world for 20 years. How does it feel to have it come to life in a live-action sense?
Jen Taylor: It's interesting, because initially with the game, we would work on it and then go away for three years. Then we'd work on the next one and then go away for two or three years, and then work on the next one. Then we started doing performance capture, and we'd spend more time on it. And every time I come back to this character, it's a gift to explore more; to discover who she is; to get more in-depth with it.
To work on this same character now for several months at a time? I really love her, so it's truly just a fun, delightful gift for me to get to delve into it even deeper and in a slightly different way. Because the modality is slightly different, right? So, it's a gift. It's truly a gift.
Yerin, can we talk about that first scene? It just pops off. What was it like for you, just stepping on that set for the first time? Was there a moment where you felt really immersed in this Halo world?
Yerin Ha: Oh, yeah. I think it was maybe the first day when that whole blood splatter scene happened. I think that was the first day, and I had to do costume changes. I was so nervous. I was so jittery the first few days.
But slowly, as time passed, I just focused on, "Okay, I've just got to serve the story and do Kwan good." I just focused in on that, and everything else fell into place.
I keep hearing about Halo boot camp. What does that entail? I would just be asking Jen questions.
Jen Taylor: Yeah, I didn't do Halo boot camp, because I don't wear boots. I'm kidding, but I don't move around very much. Were you there for that?
Yerin Ha: I was for a few sessions.
Jen Taylor: I think it was mostly the Spartans and then [getting] their butts handed to them.
Yerin Ha: They just kept going, and I was like, "I'm gonna do some yoga..."
When you found out you were cast, what was that moment like?
Yerin Ha: Thinking about actually already wells me up. My agents called me in to sign a contract for something else, and actually, it was them trying to tell me that I got the job. Everything they said for the next 20 minutes - I can't even remember what they said. I was just in absolute shock and I couldn't speak.
Then I started crying, and then I called my mom and she cried. Then I went for a really nice dinner that night.
What kind of gamer are you both? Because Halo brings out the worst in me. I will be throwing my controller across the room.
Jen Taylor: Yeah, I'm a crappy Halo player. I'm terrible; I can barely use the controller. But I'm really good at Pong.
Yerin Ha: I was a MapleStory gal.
Halo Synopsis: A Paramount+ Original
In its adaptation for Paramount Plus, Halo will take place in the universe that first came to be in 2001 with the launch of Xbox’s first Halo game. Dramatizing an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant, Halo the series will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure and a richly imagined vision of the future.
You can watch more interviews, such as with star Pablo Schreiber, on our site.
Halo is currently streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes premiering every Thursday.