The Call of Duty movie is finally happening, and it might actually be good. Paramount Pictures and Activision announced this week that Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg are teaming up to write, produce, and direct a live-action adaptation of one of the biggest video game franchises in history. Given their track record with gritty action films, this could be the video game movie that breaks the curse.
Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, and Berg, known for Friday Night Lights and Lone Survivor, are longtime friends who have collaborated before on Oscar-nominated films like Hell or High Water and Wind River. Now they’re bringing their combined talents to a franchise that has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and generated $30 billion in revenue. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Why This Team Makes Sense
The choice of Sheridan and Berg feels deliberate and smart. Berg has extensive experience directing military and action films including Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Patriots Day. His work consistently captures the intensity and brotherhood found in combat situations, which aligns perfectly with Call of Duty’s core themes. He knows how to film tactical action sequences that feel authentic rather than cartoonish.
Sheridan brings a different set of skills to the table. While he’s best known for creating television empires like Yellowstone, 1883, and Mayor of Kingstown, his screenwriting credits include Sicario and its sequel, both tense thrillers dealing with military operations and moral ambiguity. He received an Academy Award nomination for his Hell or High Water screenplay. The man knows how to write complicated characters caught in impossible situations.
Together, they’ve proven they can create both critical and commercial successes. Hell or High Water earned four Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Wind River showcased their ability to handle dark, violent material with emotional depth. If they bring that same level of craft to Call of Duty, we might finally get a video game adaptation that doesn’t feel like a cash grab.
The Massive Franchise They’re Adapting
Call of Duty isn’t just another video game. Since the first game launched in 2003, the franchise has become a cultural phenomenon. With over 500 million copies sold globally, it’s the second best-selling video game franchise in history, trailing only Mario. The series has been the number one best-selling video game in the United States for 16 consecutive years.
The franchise offers plenty of material to work with. The games have covered World War II, the Cold War, modern conflicts, and futuristic warfare. Popular sub-series like Modern Warfare and Black Ops feature interconnected narratives with memorable characters. The filmmakers won’t lack for source material, though they’ll need to decide which era and storyline to focus on for the first film.
How the Deal Came Together
Paramount secured the rights to adapt Call of Duty back in September 2025 after competing against Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. The announcement came shortly after Paramount completed its $8 billion merger with Skydance, signaling the new leadership’s commitment to big franchise projects.
David Ellison, Paramount’s new chairman and CEO, stated at the time that the studio would approach the project with the same discipline and commitment to excellence that delivered Top Gun: Maverick. Hiring Berg and Sheridan appears to be the first major step in backing up that promise.
The timing of Sheridan’s involvement is particularly interesting. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that he’s leaving Paramount for a massive five-year, $1 billion overall deal with NBCUniversal starting in 2029. His current Paramount contract runs through March 2026, which gives him enough time to complete the Call of Duty screenplay while still working on his existing television projects. Paramount clearly wants to lock in one more major project with him before he departs.
The Video Game Movie Curse
Video game adaptations have historically struggled at the box office and with critics. Early attempts like Super Mario Bros in 1993, Street Fighter in 1994, and countless others became cautionary tales about what not to do when adapting interactive media to film. The fundamental problem has always been translating gameplay mechanics and player agency into a passive viewing experience.
However, recent years have shown that video game adaptations can work when handled properly. The Last of Us series on HBO became a critical darling and ratings hit. The Super Mario Bros. Movie from Illumination earned over $1.3 billion worldwide despite mixed reviews. Sonic the Hedgehog spawned a successful franchise. The curse isn’t unbreakable anymore, it just requires the right creative team and approach.
Call of Duty has advantages that make it more adaptable than many games. The franchise has always emphasized cinematic storytelling with motion-captured performances from recognizable actors. The games feature linear campaigns with clear narratives, not open-world sandboxes where players create their own stories. The military action thriller genre is well-established in Hollywood. Berg and Sheridan don’t need to reinvent the wheel, they just need to execute at a high level.
What We Don’t Know Yet
Despite the excitement around the creative team, almost nothing is known about the actual plot or setting of the film. Paramount and Activision haven’t revealed which era of Call of Duty history they’ll explore, whether it will feature existing characters from the games, or if they’ll create an entirely original story within the franchise universe.
The deal structure also leaves room for expansion. According to reports, while the initial focus is on producing one major feature film, the agreement includes options for Paramount to develop additional Call of Duty projects across both film and television. If the first movie succeeds, we could be looking at the beginning of a cinematic universe.
No release date has been announced, and production hasn’t started yet. Given that Berg and Sheridan still need to write the screenplay, go through development and pre-production, and then actually film the movie, a 2027 or 2028 release seems most realistic.
FAQs
Who is directing the Call of Duty movie?
Peter Berg will direct the Call of Duty film. He’s known for directing military and action films like Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day, and the television series Friday Night Lights.
Who is writing the Call of Duty movie?
Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg are co-writing the screenplay together. Sheridan is the creator of Yellowstone and wrote films like Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River.
When will the Call of Duty movie be released?
No release date has been announced yet. The screenplay is still being written, so the film likely won’t arrive until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest.
What will the Call of Duty movie be about?
The plot details haven’t been revealed. Call of Duty games have covered World War II, the Cold War, modern warfare, and futuristic conflicts, so the filmmakers have many options for which era and storyline to adapt.
Is this the first Call of Duty movie?
Yes, this is the first Call of Duty theatrical film, though previous attempts to adapt the franchise have been discussed for over a decade. A project with director Stefano Sollima was in development around 2015 but never materialized.
Who is producing the Call of Duty movie?
Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg will both serve as producers alongside David Glasser from 101 Studios. Paramount Pictures and Activision are partnering to develop and distribute the film.
How successful is the Call of Duty franchise?
Call of Duty has sold over 500 million copies worldwide since 2003, making it the second best-selling video game franchise in history behind Mario. The series has been the top-selling game in the United States for 16 straight years.
Has Taylor Sheridan worked with Peter Berg before?
Yes, they collaborated on Hell or High Water in 2016, which received four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. They also worked together on Wind River in 2017.
The Bottom Line
The announcement of Berg and Sheridan leading the Call of Duty adaptation is genuinely exciting news for both gamers and movie fans. These aren’t random Hollywood figures attached to a video game property for a paycheck. They’re accomplished filmmakers with proven track records in exactly the kind of storytelling that Call of Duty requires. They understand military culture, tactical action, moral complexity, and how to balance spectacle with character development. If anyone can finally deliver a truly great Call of Duty movie, it’s this team. Now we just need to wait and see what they come up with.