Call of Duty Heads to the Big Screen: Paramount and Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Team Up

Paramount Pictures and Microsoft's Activision Blizzard have struck a deal to develop, produce, and distribute a live-action Call of Duty movie. The film will be based on the popular video game franchise and marks the first time a Call of Duty movie is being produced. The deal is a significant development for the franchise, which has been speculated about for years.

Paramount Pictures and Microsoft's Activision Blizzard have signed a deal to develop, produce, and distribute a live-action Call of Duty movie. The film will be based on the popular video game franchise and marks the first time a Call of Duty movie is being produced. The deal is a significant development for the franchise, which has been speculated about for years.

Under the partnership, Paramount will focus on making one blockbuster Call of Duty movie, but the deal also opens the door for future expansions across film and TV [1]. The valuation of the mega deal was not disclosed. The pact comes a month after Paramount closed its $8 billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance, which has seen the company make several high-profile acquisitions, including luring the creators of Stranger Things and securing the rights to Ultimate Fighting Championship events [1].

The Call of Duty franchise, known for its first-person shooter military titles, has sold over 500 million copies globally and generated $30 billion in revenue as of 2022 [1]. The franchise has not previously been adapted for film or TV, making this deal particularly significant. Activision president Rob Kostich highlighted the potential for the film to honor and expand upon the franchise's storytelling and action [1].

The deal is part of a broader trend in Hollywood, where video game adaptations have found success. Recent hits include Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Bros., and A Minecraft Movie. Paramount has also scored with its adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog, which has spawned sequels and spinoff streaming shows [1].

David Ellison, who serves as Paramount’s chairman and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty, this is truly a dream come true. 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" [1].

The partnership is another strategic move for both companies. Microsoft, which owns Activision Blizzard, has been expanding its gaming division, while Paramount has been making significant acquisitions to bolster its content library. The deal is expected to bring a new level of excitement to the film industry, particularly for fans of the Call of Duty franchise.

References:
[1] https://variety.com/2025/film/news/call-of-duty-movie-paramount-skydance-1236504600/
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/paramount-activision-partner-on-call-of-duty-liveaction-film-cnbc-reports-4219823