Get ready, soldiers! Activision and Paramount Pictures have officially confirmed a powerhouse duo for the highly anticipated Call of Duty live-action film. Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed creator behind hits like ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘Tulsa King,’ and ‘Mayor of Kingstown,’ is set to write and produce the movie. Joining him in a dual role as director and producer is Peter Berg, known for his intense work on ‘Lone Survivor.’ David Glasser will also serve as a producer on the project.
This exciting news follows earlier reports that indicated Sheridan was in discussions to script the movie, while Berg was nearing a deal to direct. Sheridan recently made headlines with his move from Paramount+ to a massive billion-dollar deal with NBCUniversal, a decision Paramount reportedly didn’t even contest, despite his incredible success for them.
Paramount Pictures and Activision initially announced their collaboration on a live-action Call of Duty movie back in September.
Details about the film’s specific time period remain under wraps. The incredibly popular game franchise, which first launched in 2003, has explored diverse eras, from World War II to modern conflicts and even futuristic scenarios. Fans are currently looking forward to the next installment, ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,’ slated for release this November.
The journey to the big screen for Call of Duty has been a long one. Activision first filed a trademark for a film adaptation way back in 2009. However, the idea faced skepticism in 2013 when then-CEO Bobby Kotick expressed concerns that video game movies often disappoint fans and could harm the brand.
Despite initial hesitations, Activision Blizzard Studios was established in 2016, with co-presidents Stacey Sher and Nick van Dyk revealing ambitious plans in 2017 for a cinematic universe, reminiscent of Marvel’s approach to its superhero franchises. By 2018, Stefano Sollima, director of ‘Sicario 2: Soldado,’ was attached to direct, with ‘Black Panther’ writer Joe Robert Cole tapped for a planned sequel. However, as is often the case in Hollywood, none of those earlier plans ultimately came to fruition. Now, with Sheridan and Berg on board, the project seems to have found its footing.
For those eager for more Call of Duty content, explore the historic gaming rivalry between Call of Duty and Battlefield, or discover how to play all the Call of Duty games in chronological order.