Paramount Pictures is developing a Call of Duty movie, aiming to build on the massive success of the gaming franchise, which is set to release its 23rd mainline title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, later this year. Given the franchise’s global popularity and action-packed legacy, the Zack Snyder Call of Duty movie would bring a distinctive cinematic style and energy that many believe could perfectly capture the essence of the game’s brutal and cinematic warfare.
Paramount’s Ambitious Plans for the Call of Duty Franchise
Paramount has ambitious strategies not only to produce multiple Call of Duty films but also to potentially expand the universe through a television series on its streaming platform. Although specific details remain under wraps, the scope of these projects aims to translate the intense, tactical, and story-driven elements of the Call of Duty games into compelling visual narratives. The franchise’s extensive timeline and varied characters across different war eras present both challenges and opportunities for storytelling, requiring a director capable of balancing action with emotional resonance.
Narrowing Down the Ideal Director Candidates
The search for a director to lead the Call of Duty movie has attracted significant speculation. While acclaimed filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve could add prestige, their busy schedules make their involvement unlikely. Instead, a range of directors with particular skills tailored to action and war storytelling have emerged as leading contenders.
Ray Mendoza: Bringing Veteran Authenticity to War Cinema
Ray Mendoza, although not a household name, has direct ties to both warfare and the Call of Duty franchise, making him a solid candidate for the director’s role. A former Navy SEAL, Mendoza co-directed and co-wrote the war film Warfare with Alex Garland, drawing from his own harrowing experiences in conflict zones over two decades ago. His work has been recognized for its authenticity and raw depiction of war, showing perspectives unique to someone with real combat experience.
Additionally, Mendoza contributed motion capture work to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), providing him with insider knowledge of the franchise’s tone and mechanics. He has also served as an advisor on several tactical movies and TV shows, such as Lone Survivor, The Terminal List, and Garland’s Civil War, demonstrating a deep understanding of military storytelling that could benefit the Call of Duty film adaptation.
Sam Hargrave: Master of Kinetic and Grounded Action
Sam Hargrave’s experience as a stunt coordinator and director makes him known for fast-paced, immersive action sequences. His direction of the Extraction films has earned acclaim for realistic and intense combat scenes, traits well-suited for Call of Duty’s style. Hargrave’s background working as a stunt coordinator and second unit director on blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Deadpool 2 has equipped him with the expertise to craft gripping, cinematic battles that remain grounded in tactical realism.
Moreover, Hargrave is directing a new movie called Matchbox, produced by David Ellison, Paramount’s new CEO who is an avid Call of Duty fan and a driving force behind these adaptation projects. If Ellison is impressed by Hargrave’s work on Matchbox, this could significantly increase Hargrave’s chances of directing the Call of Duty film.
Joseph Kosinski: Combining Technical Mastery with Character Depth
Joseph Kosinski has become one of Paramount’s most dependable directors thanks to recent box office hits like Top Gun: Maverick and F1. His ability to fuse technical spectacle with emotional storytelling makes him a compelling choice for the Call of Duty movie. Paramount has cited Top Gun: Maverick as a benchmark for what they want to achieve with the Call of Duty adaptation, underscoring Kosinski’s potential fit.
Kosinski’s background also includes creating iconic video game commercials, such as the Mad World ad for Gears of War and the Starry Night commercial for Halo 3. This experience indicates his knack for translating gaming visuals and themes into cinematic form, an essential skill for adapting the energy and atmosphere of Call of Duty to film.
Zack Snyder: A Visually Bold Voice Aligned with Call of Duty’s Spirit
Zack Snyder’s style, often described as loud, dynamic, and highly stylized, matches the bombastic and intense nature of Call of Duty. Despite being a polarizing figure in the film community, his work’s video game-like visual quality aligns well with the franchise’s aesthetics. His enthusiasm for first-person shooters is well documented; in a 2011 interview with IGN, Snyder expressed his fandom for Call of Duty: Black Ops and discussed the implications of multiplayer modes on game campaigns.
Snyder’s experience extends beyond films; he had a development deal with EA in the mid-2000s to produce video games, and he has shown interest in directing projects like Gears of War and Halo. His knowledge of the gaming world and strong visual storytelling make him a top contender. Additionally, Snyder has a unique pedigree in zombie horror films, having directed the Dawn of the Dead remake and Army of the Dead on Netflix. Both projects showcase his ability to blend ensemble casts, graphic violence, and dark humor, qualities that align perfectly with a potential Call of Duty Zombies movie or series.
Michael Bay: The Obvious Blockbuster Specialist
Michael Bay stands out as the most obvious candidate to direct a Call of Duty film due to his signature over-the-top action style that heavily influenced the Call of Duty campaigns, especially the original Modern Warfare trilogy. Numerous missions in the franchise draw inspiration from Bay’s blockbuster war films such as The Rock and 13 Hours, underscoring his impact on the series’ cinematic vision.
Bay’s expertise at capturing expansive military spectacle, along with his affinity for explosive action sequences and larger-than-life characters, make him an ideal match for the Call of Duty brand. His ongoing strong relationship with Paramount, especially with upcoming projects like a new Transformers movie, could facilitate his involvement. Though his Transformers films received mixed critical reception, younger audiences continue to embrace his energetic filmmaking style, highlighting the lasting appeal of his approach to blockbuster cinema.
The Future of Call of Duty on Screen
As Paramount moves forward with the Call of Duty franchise’s expansion into films and television, the choice of director will significantly shape the tone and success of these adaptations. Zack Snyder’s combination of visual style, appreciation for video game narratives, and previous success with both action and horror makes him uniquely suited to bring Call of Duty’s intense and immersive warfare experience to life. Whether the studio opts for a traditional war story or ventures into the popular Zombies mode, Snyder’s involvement could ensure a fresh, high-energy approach that resonates with fans and new audiences alike.
Other candidates like Ray Mendoza, Sam Hargrave, Joseph Kosinski, and Michael Bay also offer compelling visions and skillsets, reflecting the diverse ways Call of Duty’s world could be interpreted on screen. With Paramount’s strong backing and a clear focus on capturing the franchise’s spirit, the Call of Duty movie project promises to become a major new chapter in gaming’s influence on Hollywood.
