Call of Duty movie confirmed — Paramount and Activision team up for live‑action adaptation

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Following earlier rumors about Paramount negotiating for the rights to produce a Call of Duty film, it’s now official that the project is progressing. Skydance’s David Ellison, who recently took on the role of chairman and CEO at Paramount, has expressed enthusiasm for the project, having been a devoted Call of Duty player for many years.

For the past 16 years, Call of Duty has consistently been America’s top-selling video game series, achieving over half a billion units in total sales. With Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, this beloved franchise is now part of their gaming empire and is soon to be adapted into a feature film, joining the growing list of properties under Microsoft’s cinematic umbrella.

Paramount secures the rights for a Call of Duty movie

The renowned studio, Paramount, has now legally acquired the opportunity to produce a film based on Call of Duty, marking one of the major ventures following their successful $8 billion fusion with Skydance Media, an event that took place on August 7, 2025.

According to David Ellison, the chairman and CEO of Paramount, this project is referred to as a project close to his heart, given that he has been an avid fan of the series for many years.

Activision is joining forces as a creative collaborator to guide the film’s production and maintain authenticity. This is particularly important given the challenges they’ve faced in recent games when it comes to authenticity. President Rob Kostich emphasizes the need to replicate the series’ signature action and narrative style, aiming to excite existing fans while also attracting new viewers.

Over the years, ‘Call of Duty’ has captivated us with stunning action and compelling narratives, bridging gaps between people worldwide. This commitment to creating exceptional ‘Call of Duty’ experiences hasn’t faltered.

Rob Kostich – Acitivision President

Call of Duty has earned a reputation as one of the most impactful games ever made, solidifying its place as an essential part of the gaming world. Yet, potential rivals may be emerging, as Battlefield 6 is set to debut shortly.

Xbox franchises push deeper into film and TV

It’s not surprising that we’re witnessing an increase in video game adaptations, as we’re now seeing some successful examples being produced. The Minecraft Movie has been the most impressive of these thus far, earning over $900 million at the global box office. While it received mixed reviews, its success demonstrates Microsoft’s ability to create compelling content in the entertainment industry.

It’s quite intriguing to consider the upcoming Netflix movie based on Gears of War. The script is being penned by Jon Spaihts, renowned for Dune and Prometheus, while David Leitch (Director of Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train) will be at the helm. This pairing seems promising for longtime fans of Gears of War, as they anticipate a faithful and action-filled adaptation.

Indeed, not every adaptation turns out successfully. For instance, the Halo television series, initially conceptualized by Showtime and later transferred to Paramount, unfortunately failed to live up to expectations for dedicated enthusiasts, including myself. Despite spanning over two seasons, it eventually faced cancellation.

Despite some challenges for Microsoft’s other ventures, it’s worth noting that Amazon’s Fallout TV series has been quite a success. The show has garnered over 100 million views on Prime Video and has received generally positive reviews. In fact, a second season is scheduled to premiere on December 17, 2025, further solidifying its status as one of the more successful adaptations of video games into television series.

Only time will tell

On earlier occasions, Activision has endeavored to bring Call of Duty to life on the big screen; they initiated an attempt in 2018 under the guidance of director Stefano Sollima, with plans to cast Tom Hardy and Chris Pine. However, the project failed to progress beyond initial discussions.

Should the adaptation be skillfully executed, Call of Duty has the potential to deliver an exhilarating action cinema experience. However, at this stage, the collaboration between Paramount and Activision is just beginning, meaning there’s no director, cast, or scheduled release date yet. This means that it may take some time before enthusiasts can get their hands on a tangible product. Nevertheless, given its immense popularity, if managed effectively, Call of Duty could join the ranks of Microsoft’s growing collection of successful game adaptations as another box office smash.

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2025-09-03 01:10