Steven Spielberg reveals he once pitched a 'Call of Duty' film but Activision chose a different path

Steven Spielberg once pitched a 'Call of Duty' film, but Activision rejected his demand for full creative control.

Steven Spielberg once attempted to bring Call of Duty to the big screen, but his vision never came to fruition after Activision declined his request for full creative control.

According to reports, the director collaborated with his Amblin team and Universal’s Jimmy Horowitz to pitch his approach to the adaptation.

The proposal was structured around what is known as the “Spielberg Deal,” which includes substantial financial backing, final cut approval, and oversight across both production and marketing. While such terms have been accepted on other high-profile projects, Activision executives—now operating under Microsoft’s ownership—were unwilling to surrender that level of authority.

Instead, the publishing giant moved forward with Paramount Pictures, which accepted producer David Ellison’s pitch. This arrangement gives Activision more influence over the film’s direction and long-term franchise strategy.

As it stands, the live action adaptation has no confirmed director or cast, but Paramount will oversee its development.

The concept of a Call of Duty movie has circulated for years, though previous attempts have stalled during early development.

Since its launch in 2003, the video game series has become one of the most commercially successful franchises in entertainment history. With more than 500 million copies sold and over $30 billion in lifetime revenue, its cultural reach extends far beyond gaming.