In the ever-expanding web of live-action adaptations, Call of Duty is the next to be locked and loaded for the big-screen treatment. Paramount and Activision have struck a deal to turn the popular first-person shooter into a movie franchise, with the latter set to develop, produce, and distribute the live-action project.
No other details were announced, including a release window, director attached, or cast members, but Paramount CEO David Ellison promises to hold it to the same high standards that went into developing Top Gun: Maverick.
“As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty, this is truly a dream come true,” he said in a statement. “From the first Allied campaigns in the original Call of Duty, through Modern Warfare and Black Ops, I’ve spent countless hours playing this franchise that I absolutely love. Being entrusted by Activision and players worldwide to bring this extraordinary storytelling universe to the big screen is both an honour and a responsibility that we don’t take lightly.”
“We’re approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on Top Gun: Maverick, ensuring it meets the exceptionally high standards this franchise and its fans deserve,” Ellison continued. “I can promise that we are resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honours the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand – thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation.”
It remains to be seen whether the project will draw from existing stories covered by the Modern Warfare or Black Ops sub-brands, revisit the original World War II plotline, or tell an entirely new story, and if beloved characters like Price, Ghost, Soap, and Mason are due for a live-action debut. The news comes ahead of the launch of Black Ops 7 in November, which is set to bring David Mason back for more futuristic shooting action.
Considering the overwhelming commercial and critical success of the Sonic the Hedgehog films, it’s no surprise Paramount is looking to capture lightning in a bottle again by tapping into a franchise that has sold over 500 million copies globally. The Call of Duty is hardly the only live-action video game adaptation in the works, either, with a Legend of Zelda film lined up for May 2027, and projects based on Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid, Ghost of Tsushima, Elden Ring, and more planned for the next few years.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
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