We've got a better idea of the creative forces leading the upcoming Call of Duty movie from Activision and Paramount. Peter Berg will be directing, writing, and producing the film, while Taylor Sheridan will be writing and producing.
This news comes via a report that was first broken by Deadline before being confirmed by Activision directly. Berg and Sheridan previously collaborated on the 2016 film Hell or High Water, as well the 2017 movie Wind River.
Sheridan has contributed to numerous projects over the years, including writing for the movie Sicario and more recently creating the Paramount series Yellowstone, alongside its numerous spin-off shows.
Berg previously directed movies like Hancock, Lone Survivor, and Deepwater Horizon, as well as the 2025 Netflix series American Primeval.
Activision and Paramount announced a deal to develop a Call of Duty movie back in September, with Paramount CEO David Ellison describing the film as a passion project. Shortly afterward, a report indicated that Activision had turned down a pitch from acclaimed director Steven Spielberg.
The Sicario connection
Having Taylor Sheridan working as a writer on this film is particularly interesting, as his experience working on Sicario makes him well-suited to the role.
The Modern Warfare sub-series of Call of Duty games that was rebooted in 2019 drew on Sicario for influence, particularly for the second entry, the Infinity Ward-led Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2023).
I'll be curious to see if this film deals with similar ideas and tone. If it does, will the team try to directly adapt the events of one of the games, or instead aim to tell an original story set in the same universe? I'd prefer the latter personally, but I'm open to either possibility.
As for the games, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is slated to launch on Nov. 14, 2025, with Treyarch and Raven once again pairing up for a sequel to the events of 2012's Black Ops 2. David Mason returns alongside a co-op campaign, bigger Zombies mode, and more.
More and more Xbox properties are being adapted to movies or TV
This news comes as Microsoft has found a fair a bit of success with different Xbox properties across TV and film in recent years. A Minecraft Movie launched in theaters and reached $957 million at the box office, making it the second-biggest video game film adapted from a video game ever, only behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Meanwhile, the Fallout TV series exploded on Prime Video, reaching over 100 million viewers, and a second season is set to premiere on Dec. 17, 2025. Some of the creative team behind that series are also reportedly working on a Wolfenstein TV series for Prime Video, which will adapt MachineGames' rebooted series where the world has been overrun by Nazis.
Looking ahead, a Gears of War movie is in development at Netflix, with director David Leitch (Bullet Train, The Fall Guy) working on the script for the film alongside his wife Kelly McCormick and writer Jon Spaihts (Prometheus, Dune).
A Gears of War animated series is also planned for Netflix, though there's been little news for that project since it was first announced alongside the movie.
FAQ
When does the Call of Duty movie come out?
The Call of Duty film being developed by Paramount and Activision does not currently have a public release date.
Who’s making the Call of Duty movie?
Paramount and Activision are producing. Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Sicario) will co-write and produce, while Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Lone Survivor) will direct and co-write.
What’s the plot?
No details yet. The franchise spans WWII, the Cold War, and modern/futuristic conflicts. Paramount says the film will capture the “hallmarks” of the series while appealing to new audiences.
Is it based on a specific game?
Not confirmed. Fans speculate it could draw from Modern Warfare or Black Ops, but nothing official
Why Sheridan and Berg?
Both have a track record with gritty, military‑themed stories (Sicario, Lone Survivor). Paramount clearly wants a grounded, Americana‑flavored action film
Has there been a Call of Duty movie attempt before?
Yes, Activision has floated adaptations for years, but this is the first time a major studio has locked in top-tier talent
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
