Taylor Sheridan, despite signing a future deal with NBCUniversal, remains engaged with Paramount as he is set to co-write the upcoming live-action adaptation of Activision’s Call of Duty video game franchise. Sheridan will collaborate with Peter Berg, who will co-write and direct the project, while both will produce alongside David Glasser, head of Sheridan’s production company, 101 Studios.
Paramount’s Vision for a High-Quality Call of Duty Film
Paramount officially revealed its plans for the Call of Duty movie in an announcement last month, emphasizing a commitment to quality on par with their work on Top Gun: Maverick. Paramount CEO David Ellison stated the studio aims to uphold
“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.”
He further assured,
“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.”
Strong Creative Team with Proven Success
The involvement of Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg brings considerable optimism to the project given their notable past achievements. Sheridan, an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and Emmy-nominated producer, has created and led several popular Paramount Network series such as Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, 1883, 1923, Lioness, and Landman. Peter Berg is an accomplished director responsible for acclaimed films including Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Patriots Day.
Significance of the Call of Duty Franchise
Call of Duty ranks among the most successful video game franchises worldwide, with over 500 million copies sold. It has held the position as the No. 1 best-selling video game series in the United States for 16 consecutive years. While many video game adaptations struggle to replicate their source material’s success, the experience of Sheridan and Berg lends confidence to the project’s potential.
Uncertain Storyline but Clear Intentions
Details about the film’s plot remain under wraps, including whether it will feature an original narrative or adapt a subseries like Black Ops or Modern Warfare. Activision president Rob Kostich commented on the project’s direction, saying,
“The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started.”
He also added,
“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.”
Expectations for the Call of Duty Film’s Future
The collaboration of Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg signals a serious and thoughtful approach to bringing Call of Duty to the big screen. Their combined expertise in creating compelling narratives for both television and film indicates a promising step toward delivering a movie that resonates with existing fans and draws in new audiences. As Paramount advances the project, many eagerly await further announcements on casting, release dates, and storyline developments that will reveal how this iconic gaming franchise will be translated into cinema.
