Paramount Pictures is aggressively pursuing a deal with Microsoft to acquire the film rights for the Call of Duty franchise, a move that signals the studio’s new post-merger strategy to adapt major gaming properties into blockbuster films. While earlier reports confirmed the negotiations, new details indicate that the project is a top priority for Paramount’s leadership team, led by CEO David Ellison and co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.
This push for Call of Duty follows the successful Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and highlights a broader industry trend where gaming intellectual property is now seen as a crucial asset for Hollywood. The studios’ interest has been fueled by the recent success of adaptations like The Last of Us and the Super Mario Bros. Movie. However, bringing Call of Duty to the screen presents unique challenges. The franchise, which lacks a single, continuous narrative, has been praised for its cinematic campaigns, from modern military thrillers to World War II epics. This gives Paramount a wealth of material to draw from, but also leaves it with a difficult choice: adapt a specific game like Modern Warfare or create a completely original story within the game’s universe.
This isn’t the first time an adaptation has been attempted. In 2015, Activision announced ambitious plans for a cinematic universe, going so far as to hire director Stefano Sollima and screenwriter Scott Silver. That project, however, was “put on the back burner” in 2020 and eventually scrapped, leaving fans with years of anticipation and no film. This history of a failed adaptation has led to a mixed reaction from fans, with some expressing excitement while others remain skeptical, citing the franchise’s lack of a single, defined story and the poor reception of other video game movies like 2024’s Borderlands.
The outcome of these negotiations with Microsoft will be a key test for the new leadership at Paramount. The studio’s aggressive play for Call of Duty demonstrates a commitment to competing with major players in the entertainment industry by leveraging established brands and a proven formula.
