Paramount/Skydance are officially bringing the blockbuster video game franchise Call of Duty to the big screen in a new live-action feature film. The project is a significant one for Skydance Chairman and CEO David Ellison, a longtime fan of the best-selling Activision game, and fits squarely in the action-oriented wheelhouse of the studio behind Top Gun: Maverick. Activision is set to serve as a creative partner on the film, ensuring the adaptation remains true to its roots.
This marks a fresh attempt to adapt the popular first-person shooter series. In 2018, Activision Blizzard Studios had previously tried to develop a film with Sicario 2: Soldado director Stefano Sollima, but the project never materialized. This new partnership with Paramount and Skydance signals a strong new commitment to bringing the franchise's cinematic universe to theaters.
David Ellison expressed his personal passion for the project, stating, “As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty this is truly a dream come true. 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 honor 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. I can promise that we are resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honors the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand – thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation.”
Echoing the excitement, Rob Kostich, President of Activision, highlighted the shared vision for the film. “Throughout its history, Call of Duty has captured our imagination with incredible action and intense stories that have brought millions of people together from around the world, and that focus on making incredible Call of Duty games remains unwavering," said Kostich. "With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner who we will work with to take that visceral, breathtaking action to the big screen in a defining cinematic moment. The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started. Our shared goal is quite simple — to create an unforgettable blockbuster movie experience that our community loves, and one that also excites and inspires new fans of the franchise.”