By Gavin Boyle
Paramount and Microsoft-owned games studio Activision announced they will bring a live-action movie to audiences based on the ever-popular Call of Duty franchise.
“As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty, this is truly a dream come true,” said David Ellison, the chairman and CEO of Paramount. “From the first Allied campaigns in the original Call of Duty, through Modern Warfare and Black Ops, I’ve spent countless hours playing this franchise that I absolutely love.”
Related: How Paramount’s Skydance Media Merger Will Shake Up the Studio
“Being entrusted by Activision and players worldwide to bring this extraordinary storytelling universe to the big screen is both an honor and a responsibility that we don’t take lightly,” he continued. “We’re approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on TOP GUN: MAVERICK, ensuring it meets the exceptionally high standard this franchise and its fans deserve. I can promise that we are resolute in our legacy of this one-in-a-million brand – thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation.”
Call of Duty remains one of the most popular and recognizable names in gaming.
For the past 16 years, a new Call of Duty game has released annually, bringing players an updated experience every time. While the IP was originally rooted in realism, it has since branched into sci-fi in certain iterations where players can use advanced technology to their advantage.
While it is unclear which style the movie will base itself on, the reference to TOP GUN: MAVERICK suggests it is more likely to be based in real-world action.
“Throughout its history, Call of Duty has captured our imagination with incredible action and intense stories that have brought millions of people together from around the world, and that focus on making incredible Call of Duty games remains unwavering,” said Activision president Rob Kostich. “With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner who we will work with to take that visceral, breathtaking action to the big screen in a defining cinematic moment. The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started.”
The deal with Paramount encompasses the possibility for a Call of Duty-based show alongside the movie, suggesting that if the film finds success, the franchise could expand.
Much of the movie’s success, though, will depend on the direction the filmmakers take it. If they produce a gore-heavy war movie, they are much less likely to find a sizable audience than if they lean in on the patriotism found in TOP GUN: MAVERICK. Hopefully they focus on the latter and successfully adapt the beloved video game franchise for a new medium.
Read Next: Are Video Game Adaptations Hollywood’s Next Big Trend?
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +1