Steven Spielberg’s interest in directing ‘Call of Duty’ film ignored by Activision — turning down Hollywood royalty to chart its own course

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As a tech-loving enthusiast, I’ve got some exciting news to share about the upcoming Call of Duty film! According to recent reports from Matthew Belloni at Puck News, legendary director Steven Spielberg showed immense interest in taking the helm for this epic venture. His production company Amblin even teamed up with Universal for a pitch that would’ve been a game-changer.

However, things took a slightly different turn when Activision considered the offer. Here’s the catch: Spielberg wanted full control over production and marketing of the project, plus final cut rights – a deal that might have given him an edge but also meant less say for Activision in certain film aspects.

To secure more control, Activision decided to go with Paramount’s offer instead, ensuring they could keep a closer eye on various production processes of this much-anticipated movie. Now we wait and see who will ultimately be stepping into the director’s chair for this blockbuster!

Steven Spielberg and the history of Call of Duty

Steven Spielberg has an intriguing history with the Call of Duty series that dates back to its inception. Known for his passion for video games, he co-founded Dreamworks Interactive with Microsoft in 1995, which later developed the original Medal of Honor before being taken over by Electronic Arts in 2000.

The early version of Medal of Honor was heavily influenced by Spielberg’s work, most notably his 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg served as a producer on Medal of Honor and penned the story for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, which was produced by 2015, Inc.

Several members from 2015, Inc left the company and established Infinity Ward in 2002. Activision then recruited Infinity Ward to create a game that would rival Medal of Honor, eventually known as Call of Duty.

So, who will direct the Call of Duty film for Paramount?

Standing here, I can only imagine the mastery if Steven Spielberg were to direct a Call of Duty film. It would be a captivating sight, closing the loops on all those connections. As a connoisseur of Hollywood blockbusters, I’d be spellbound to witness his unique interpretation of Call of Duty and the specific era of the series he might choose.

Yet, there are other directors whose work has left me in awe, and I believe they could create an engaging spectacle as well. Each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages:

  • Chad Stahelski
    • Pros: He directed the John Wick films, worked as a second-unit director on movies like Captain America: Civil War, and even coordinated stunts for the Matrix films. The action choreography would be fantastic.
      Cons: He’s already attached to an increasingly-unwieldy number of upcoming projects, including (but not limited to) a remake of Highlander, a Ghost of Tsushima film, and a Rainbox Six movie.
  • Joseph Kosinski
    • Pros: He directed Top Gun: Maverick, which is easily standing strong of the best military movies of the 2020s (if not the best, for my money). Maverick was also a Paramount production, adding familiarity. He also directed Tron: Legacy and Oblivion.
      Cons: Maverick aside, he has a bit less experience than many other directors.
  • Michael Bay
    • Pros: He’s Michael Bay. He understands explosions, helicopters, gunfire, and more explosions.
      Cons: I wouldn’t hold my breath on getting a nuanced story. He also hasn’t worked on a big franchise since hanging up his Transformers hat.

Regardless of the circumstances, I’m very eager to see how things will unfold in the end.

Meanwhile, the next installation in the annually released video game franchise is expected to release this November. Notably, Treyarch and Raven’s Black Ops 7 marks the first time a series has seen two sequels back-to-back, following the same studios’ Black Ops 6 from 2024.

Other Xbox-related properties are also being adapted into films and TV shows. The second season of the highly rated Fallout TV show is set to debut on Prime Video in December, while production continues on Netflix’s Gears of War movie.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is scheduled for release on Nov. 14, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC (Battle.net, Steam, Xbox PC), PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4.

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2025-09-06 16:39