Halo 4's marketing cycle will spread across television, the Internet, food, and drink. The latest hype-building material for the first-person shooter is called "Scanned," a two-minute trailer created by the director of The Social Network.

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David Fincher, director of 2010's The Social Network along with 2011's A Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is executive producer on Scanned. Serving as director is Tim Miller, effects lead on Scott Pilgrim vs the World.

"Fincher and Miller will help deliver an emotionally-charged look at the backstory of Halo's iconic hero, the Master Chief," Microsoft said in a press release.

Scanned introduces the "new threat" Chief encounters in Halo 4, perhaps the Prometheans, and probably the Forerunners by extension. Fincher described the trailer as a combination of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and live-action content.

"Halo is one of the most iconic sci-fi universes, with a depth that allows for amazingly cinematic and emotionally riveting stories. The chance to tell a story that explores never-before-seen facets of Master Chief's journey is an honor. Our goal is to deliver a blockbuster, Hollywood-quality trailer that raises the bar for the award-winning legacy of live-action Halo storytelling and gets fans stoked for the return of Master Chief," Miller added.

The "legacy" of live-action storytelling began with Halo 3: Neill Blomkamp directed the trilogy of "Landfall" trailers focusing on Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) fighting the Covenant. Halo: Reach explored the origin story of Noble Six, the newest member of Noble Team in the title. Halo 4 is seeing the TV series-esque Forward Unto Dawn, with episodes releasing weekly building up to Halo 4's launch. Brief TV advertisements, scenes from the game, have also been created in live action form.

While Halo may never see a big screen release as a movie, fans know what to expect in terms of quality. Forward Unto Dawn's budget is around $10 million; The Dark Knight rises budget was between $250 to $300 million according to reports.

Halo 4 releases Nov. 6 on Xbox 360. Scanned will debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Oct. 18.

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