Paramount Pictures is officially bringing Call of Duty to the big screen. As per Variety the studio has signed a deal with Activision, now owned by Microsoft, to develop, produce, and distribute a live-action film based on the blockbuster military-themed video game franchise. The agreement marks the first time Call of Duty will be adapted into a feature film or television property.
According to Variety, the pact currently focuses on a single film, but sources indicate the deal includes potential expansion into a larger cinematic and television universe. The specific storyline or sub-franchise of Call of Duty that the movie will draw from has not yet been disclosed, though the series is known for popular installments such as Modern Warfare and Black Ops. The franchise has sold over 500 million copies and generated more than $30 billion in revenue since its 2003 debut.
The announcement comes shortly after Paramount completed its $8 billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media. Since then, the newly restructured studio has made several high-profile moves, including acquiring exclusive UFC rights for $7.7 billion and attracting Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers from Netflix. Ellison, now chairman and CEO of Paramount, expressed his personal enthusiasm for the project.
“As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty, this is truly a dream come true,” Ellison said in a statement. “Being entrusted by Activision and players worldwide to bring this extraordinary storytelling universe to the big screen is both an honor and a responsibility.”
Rob Kostich, president of Activision, praised the partnership, saying, “With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner… The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great.”
The deal underscores Hollywood’s renewed success with video game adaptations. Following hits like Super Mario Bros., Mortal Kombat, and Paramount’s own Sonic the Hedgehog, Call of Duty now joins a growing wave of gaming properties heading to film with significant studio backing.
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