Paramount has officially secured the rights to bring one of gaming’s most iconic franchises, Call of Duty, to the big screen. In a move that’s already sending shockwaves through both Hollywood and the gaming world, the studio announced on September 2, 2025, that it had reached a deal with Microsoft-owned Activision to develop, produce, and distribute a live-action adaptation of the blockbuster first-person shooter series. This partnership, described by Paramount as a “landmark collaboration,” could even pave the way for further films and television series, potentially building a sprawling cinematic universe for Paramount+.
While the announcement has fans buzzing, the details remain tantalizingly thin. There’s no official word yet on the film’s director, cast, or release date. Even the storyline is shrouded in mystery—will the adaptation draw from the gritty realism of the Modern Warfare saga, the mind-bending twists of Black Ops, or perhaps the visceral chaos of the franchise’s World War II entries? According to Variety, the agreement could extend to additional movies and even TV shows, suggesting that Paramount and Activision have big plans for expanding the Call of Duty universe well beyond a single film.
David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, didn’t hide his excitement. He called the deal “a dream come true,” adding, “We’re promising fans 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.” Ellison even compared the approach to the studio’s work on Top Gun: Maverick, promising the same “disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence.” That’s a bold claim, especially for a property with as much history—and as many passionate fans—as Call of Duty.
This isn’t the first time Hollywood has tried to adapt the franchise. Back in 2015, Activision announced a movie project with Stefano Sollima, director of Sicario 2: Soldado, attached. But that attempt fizzled out by 2020, leaving the adaptation in limbo. According to a report from Puck News, there was even a moment when Steven Spielberg, the legendary director behind Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park, pitched his own vision for a Call of Duty movie. Spielberg, a self-professed gaming enthusiast, reportedly wanted full creative control and final cut—conditions that made Activision uneasy. Ultimately, the studio passed on the Spielberg partnership, opting instead to team up with Paramount.
That decision has sparked plenty of speculation. As TechRadar notes, Spielberg’s involvement would have brought instant prestige, but his desire for autonomy reportedly “spooked” Activision. Still, the project’s new home at Paramount has reignited hopes that a faithful and thrilling adaptation could finally see the light of day. And with nearly 30 games’ worth of stories to draw from—spanning everything from the beaches of Normandy to futuristic battlegrounds—the creative possibilities are almost limitless.
So what should fans expect? Paramount has promised to deliver “on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences.” That’s a tall order, considering the series’ reputation for blockbuster action, emotional storytelling, and, of course, its signature first-person perspective. TechRadar argues that the film should capture the immersive chaos that defines the games, suggesting that while a full first-person POV movie (a la Hardcore Henry) might be a step too far, getting up close and personal with the action is a must. “If they really want to recreate the gaming experience, throw in a scene with a too-far-away shot of a wildly out of control helicopter too,” the outlet quips.
Another hot topic: casting. While Call of Duty isn’t known for featuring A-list actors in leading roles, the games have boasted an impressive roster of Hollywood talent over the years. Josh Duhamel, Idris Elba, Ice Cube, Jason Statham, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, Kit Harrington, and Sam Worthington have all lent their voices or likenesses to the franchise. There’s widespread hope that some of these stars might return for the film adaptation—especially Sam Worthington, who played CIA operative Alex Mason in the Black Ops subseries. As TechRadar puts it, “Mason is the lead protagonist of the first instalment in the Black Ops series and goes on to remain a fairly major character throughout. As the closest thing the franchise has to a major lead, I’d be surprised if Mason isn’t included in the film in some capacity, and it’s a no-brainer to have Worthington reprise the role.”
Directorial speculation is also heating up. With Spielberg out of the running, fans and pundits are tossing around names like Michael Bay, Joseph Kosinski, and Christopher McQuarrie—directors known for their work on high-octane action films like Transformers, Top Gun: Maverick, and Mission: Impossible. TechRadar argues that Michael Bay, in particular, could be the perfect fit: “The macho military side of the Transformers franchise screams CoD, and the director has proven he has what it takes to tell a dramatic military story with the visceral 13 Hours.”
But what about the story itself? With so many timelines and subseries to choose from, Paramount’s writers have their work cut out for them. The studio hasn’t confirmed whether the film will adapt a specific game or combine elements from several. Fans have pointed to the possibility of a generations-spanning narrative that weaves together threads from Vanguard, Black Ops, and Modern Warfare. However, don’t expect every controversial moment from the games to make the cut—TechRadar notes that the infamous “No Russian” mission is unlikely to appear on the big screen.
One feature that’s become almost synonymous with Call of Duty is its Zombies mode, which first appeared in World at War back in 2008. Over the years, this wildly popular mode has taken on a life of its own, complete with its own storyline and celebrity cameos from the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Kiefer Sutherland. While Paramount seems to be aiming for a more grounded military tale, there’s speculation that the Zombies mode could make a cameo—perhaps as a dream sequence, hallucination, or even a spin-off streaming series down the line.
Meanwhile, the Call of Duty gaming juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. After the successful launch of Black Ops 6 in 2024—the first entry in the franchise to debut day one on Xbox Game Pass following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision in 2023—the next installment, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, is set for release on November 14, 2025. Like its predecessor, it will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, ensuring that millions of gamers will have instant access.
With Paramount’s adaptation finally moving forward, fans are left to wonder: Can Hollywood capture the adrenaline, spectacle, and emotional punch that have made Call of Duty a cultural phenomenon for over two decades? The pieces are in place, the stakes are sky-high, and for the first time in years, the odds look better than ever.
