Microsoft Announces HALO TV series and Xbox Originals

Microsoft has finally announced their first slate of original TV programs, dubbed "Xbox Originals." Like Netflix, they are putting a lot of money and effort into their programming, such as with the previously announced Halo TV series, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott is producing a separate Halo project, a "digital feature," which is to be released later this year.

Other video game properties are being looked at for possible development as well, including Fable, Age of Empires, Forza Motorsport, State of Decay, and Gears of War.

Could we see a Gears of War program in development soon?

Microsoft is not only looking at video games for ideas, such as with Every Street United, an unscripted series that is focused on searching the globe for gifted soccer players. The program is slated for eight thirty-minute episodes, with a one-hour finale in July, around the same time as the World Cup.

The plan is to build more value for the Xbox brand with premium, interactive content that includes dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, unscripted shows, and live events. For more information and a more complete list of programs in development, check out Xbox Wire.

Xbox Originals launches this June and will be exclusive to Xbox 360, Xbox One, and other Microsoft devices.

Watch the Brand New BATMAN BEYOND Short by Darwyn Cooke

Kevin Conroy and Will Friedle reprise their roles in this brand new Batman Beyond short produced by writer/artist Darwyn Cooke for Batman's 75th Anniversary. Enjoy!

Warner Bros. needs to get on the Batman Beyond bandwagon. I really enjoyed that short, and I loved all the different iterations of Batman at the end, including cameos from the Adam West and Michael Keaton versions. Blink and you missed it. Now, how about a Batman Beyond movie?

You can catch more DC animated shorts like this on Wednesday nights at 6:30/7:30c on Cartoon Network during Teen Titans Go!, as well as on the DC Nation website.

X-Men: Days of Future Past - Final Trailer

Check out the 3rd and final trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past!

That trailer looked amazing. I love the action between the mutants and the Sentinels, and I think there's a good mix of new and familiar characters. The wait is almost over. Let's hope it turns out as good as the trailer.

X-Men: Days of Future Past will arrive in theaters on May 23rd.

X-Men: Days of Future Past - Opening Battle

If you missed the MTV Movie Awards, you might have also missed the opening battle sequence from X-Men: Days of Future Past. This sneak peek takes a look at several mutants battling Sentinels in the future.

Cool little action clip, which just makes me want to see the whole thing already. Mission accomplished, Fox.

X-Men: Days of Future Past will be released in theaters on May 23rd.

Batman: Strange Days - Bruce Timm's Batman 75th Anniversary Short

To celebrate Batman's 75th Anniversary, DC has released this animated short, Batman: Strange Days, which features Batman tangling with Dr. Hugo Strange. Produced by Bruce Timm, well-known for his work on Batman: The Animated Series from the 90s (among other great animated shows), Strange Days goes for an old school vibe. Enjoy!

The animation definitely looks like the old series, but combines Timm's art style with Batman's look from his early days. Good to hear Kevin Conroy take on the role again even if just for one line. A cool little short that just makes me want to see more. I wish Warner Bros. would let Timm and Conroy do a new version of Batman: The Animated Series.

You can watch more DC animated shorts on Wednesday nights at 6:30/7:30c on Cartoon Network during Teen Titans Go!

GOONIES Sequel Confirmed by Director Richard Donner?

Could it be? According to an "interview" with TMZ, Richard Donner confirmed that a sequel to the Goonies is finally happening, and he wants the original cast back!

What the cast (and Donner) looks like today.

I'll believe it when I see a trailer. Though I have mixed feeling about this, considering the movie is nearly 29 years old. I think the challenge is to create something that is in the spirit of the original film, which will be appealing to kids, but can also appease the older crowd that grew up with the movie. They could also go in a different direction, such as making it about a group of adults who forgot about following their dreams, and somehow find themselves in a new adventure. Whatever angle they decide to take, as long as the final product is good, I'll be happy.

Now, time for some nostalgia with the 1985 trailer of The Goonies!

And for no reason, here's the Goonies music video featuring Cyndi Lauper and a bunch of WWF Superstars!

Definitely looking forward to hearing more about The Goonies 2. Let's hope we don't have to wait another 29 years.