Hollywood Reloads: Call of Duty Movie Taps 'Sicario' Writer and 'Lone Survivor' Director in High-Stakes Revival
2025-10-31
Image credit: IGN
For years, the live-action Call of Duty movie has been the industry’s ghost in the machine—a high-profile project perpetually stuck in development hell. After more than 27 years and 22 mainline games, Activision’s blockbuster franchise has conquered nearly every medium except Hollywood. The initial ambitious plan, a sprawling cinematic universe helmed by Activision Blizzard's own studio, never managed to deploy. But after a long period of radio silence, the mission has been reactivated with a creative team that has injected a surprising and potent dose of credibility into the entire operation.
The revival is being spearheaded by two of Hollywood’s most respected names in grounded, intense storytelling. Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed creator of the television juggernaut Yellowstone and the Oscar-nominated writer behind the gritty, morally complex thrillers Sicario and Hell or High Water, has been tasked with writing the screenplay, according to multiple reports from outlets like IGN. Joining him in the director's chair is Peter Berg, a filmmaker whose resume is stacked with the visceral, realistic action of films like Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon, as well as the character-driven drama of Friday Night Lights as reported by Kotaku.
This pairing is more than just a fresh coat of paint; it’s a fundamental shift in strategy for the long-awaited adaptation. The project has moved from a studio's broad franchise-building exercise to the hands of creators known for authentic portrayals of high-stakes conflict and the complex individuals caught within them. Sheridan’s taut, procedural tension and Berg’s bone-rattling depictions of combat are widely seen as a perfect match for the source material. Their shared expertise in military themes and intense, character-first action has transformed the conversation around the film almost overnight, with many commentators now believing this team can finally break the video game movie curse according to Destructoid.
The sentiment among fans and critics, long defined by a deep-seated skepticism, has pivoted sharply. The prevailing mood, as reflected across several reports, is one of "cautious optimism." The attachment of such high-caliber talent suggests a genuine desire to create a serious war film that honors the tone of the games, rather than a simple cash-in on a massive brand. As one outlet noted, they are now "feeling cautiously optimistic about it," a significant change from the project's previously uncertain status. While some have wryly pointed out that the creator of "your dad's favorite TV show" is now scripting the Call of Duty movie via PC Gamer, the undeniable critical and popular success of Sheridan's work lends the film an entirely new level of legitimacy.
Still, it's important to keep that optimism in check. While the reports are widely corroborated, there have been no official statements or direct quotes from Sheridan, Berg, Activision, or any associated studio to formally confirm the news or offer insight into their creative vision as noted in reporting by GameSpot. Key details remain firmly under wraps, leaving a host of unanswered questions. We have no information on the plot, which of the franchise’s iconic sub-series—be it Modern Warfare, Black Ops, or something entirely new—it might adapt, nor any word on potential casting or a target production and release timeline. For now, the mission parameters appear clear and promising, but the target itself is still well out of sight.