While many Halo fans were impressed by the recent trailer for the live-action series, Cortana's significant design change is currently a point of contention in the community.The full-length trailer, which teases audiences with Master Chief's epic quest to eradicate the alien zealotry of The Covenant, includes the first full look at the Spartan's AI companion Cortana. Fans of the iconic franchise expressed excitement to see original voice actor Jen Taylor reprise her role in the series, but opinions are split on her design. Many believe that she appears too human, as the series' Cortana ditches the blue-colored skin of her video game counterpart for a tone that resembles an actual human.
While Cortana is only briefly seen in the trailer, fans are concerned that her more life-like features will be sticking around for the entire season. Despite appearing in every mainline Halo game since the original Combat Evolved launched in 2001, Cortana has sported several looks over the course of the franchise.
Fans are divided on which design is her best, with many insisting that her appearance in Halo 2 Anniversary and Halo 3 are her best depictions. Every version of the character does sport an overtly blue color, making the live-action version stand out.
Fans concerned that the series is making too many bold choices while ignoring the established canon may need to brace for other significant changes to Halo's lore. Executive producer Kiki Wolfkill recently noted that the show features a different context and perspective on many events seen through the video game series. "We're referring to this as the 'Halo Silver Timeline' as a way of differentiating it from core canon -- and both protecting core canon and protecting the television story," said Wolfkill. "And by that I mean, being able to give ourselves the chance to evolve both, and for both to be what they need to be for their mediums, without colliding with each other." While details on the plot remain scarce, fans believe it will be adapting the story of the original Halo: Combat Evolved game.
Fans wanting to check out how the Halo series addresses Cortana's design will be able to stream episodes exclusively on Paramount+. The show premieres on March 24 and stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief, Natascha McElhone as Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Halsey and Jen Taylor as Cortana.
Source: Twitter