Paramount and Activision Officially Team Up to Bring CALL OF DUTY to the Big Screen

Paramount and Activision have struck a major deal to bring one of the biggest video game franchises of all time to theaters. Call of Duty is officially making the jump to live-action film, setting the stage for what could be one of the most ambitious game-to-movie adaptations ever attempted.

Paramount will develop, produce, and distribute the film, and according to the official statement, the project is “designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences.”

With over 500 million copies sold worldwide, Call of Duty has dominated the gaming industry for two decades, remaining the top-selling video game franchise in the U.S. for 16 straight years.

From the gritty battlefields of World War II to futuristic warfare, the series has defined the first-person shooter genre. It’s easy to see why Hollywood has long considered it one of the most valuable untapped gaming properties.

Paramount CEO David Ellison called the deal “a dream come true” and made it clear just how personal this project is for him.

“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.”

Ellison went on to promise that Paramount is taking this project as seriously as possible:

“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.”

This deal is part of Paramount’s aggressive push to secure top-tier intellectual properties under Ellison and Skydance’s leadership. Since taking control last month, they’ve already signed a $7.7 billion UFC rights deal and inked an exclusive multi-year partnership with the Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things.

Video game adaptations have become a major focus in Hollywood, and Call of Duty now joins a growing list. Universal and Illumination scored big with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sony and Nintendo are working on The Legend of Zelda, and Paramount already has Sonic the Hedgehog under its belt.

Titles like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid, and Elden Ring are also in the pipeline, showing just how much studios are investing in game-based entertainment.

Rob Kostich, President of Activision, also expressed excitement about the future of Call of Duty on the big screen.

“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.

“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.”

With Paramount and Activision committed to delivering a massive, cinematic spectacle, this could be one of the biggest video game adaptations yet. If done right, Call of Duty has the potential to be awesome and establish itself as a brand-new blockbuster movie franchise.

Source: THR