Taylor Sheridan to Adapt ‘Call of Duty’ into Film While Transitioning to NBCUniversal
Table of Contents
- 1. Taylor Sheridan to Adapt ‘Call of Duty’ into Film While Transitioning to NBCUniversal
- 2. A long-Awaited Adaptation
- 3. key Details at a Glance
- 4. The Rise of Video Game Adaptations
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions
- 6. How might Sheridan’s established neo-Western style influence the tone and thematic elements of a *Call of Duty* film, given the franchise’s focus on modern and future warfare?
- 7. Taylor Sheridan Takes on Paramount’s ‘Call of Duty’ film as Screenwriter
- 8. From Yellowstone to Warzone: Sheridan’s New Mission
- 9. Sheridan’s Unique Approach to action & Narrative
- 10. The Challenges of Adapting a Multi-Faceted Franchise
- 11. Previous Video Game Adaptations: Lessons Learned
- 12. The Paramount & Sheridan Partnership: A Strategic Move
- 13. Potential Call of Duty Storylines Sheridan Could explore
Taylor Sheridan is embarking on a new film project, a cinematic adaptation of the renowned video game franchise Call of Duty, even as he prepares to move his primary creative endeavors to NBCUniversal. The project will be a collaboration with Director Peter Berg, who will also co-write the screenplay alongside sheridan.
The partnership between Sheridan and Berg is not unprecedented; thay have previously joined forces on critically acclaimed films such as Hell or High Water and Wind River. David Glasser,head of Sheridan’s production firm 101 Studios,will also produce the movie. The global video game market generated $184.4 billion in revenue in 2023, a 2.3% increase year-over-year, highlighting the huge potential for a successful film adaptation. Newzoo
A long-Awaited Adaptation
Plans for a Call of Duty feature film have circulated for nearly a decade, but faced delays until Activision officially greenlit the project in September 2025, partnering with Paramount Pictures. The Call of Duty series,known for its immersive first-person shooter gameplay set in various historical conflicts-including World War II and the Cold war-has exceeded 500 million copies sold worldwide.
Sheridan’s existing contract with Paramount extends until March of the following year,ensuring this Call of Duty adaptation will be among his final projects with the studio before his transition to NBCUniversal. This timing allows Sheridan to fulfill his commitments while simultaneously charting his future creative direction.
key Details at a Glance
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| project | Call of Duty Movie Adaptation |
| Writers | Taylor Sheridan & Peter Berg |
| producer | David Glasser (101 Studios) |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures |
| Game Sales | Over 500 Million Copies |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) became the fastest-selling Call of Duty title ever, surpassing $800 million in revenue within three days of release
The Rise of Video Game Adaptations
The trend of adapting popular video games into cinematic releases continues to gain momentum. Recent successes, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), wich grossed over $1.36 billion worldwide, demonstrate the considerable audience demand for well-executed video game adaptations.
However, many attempted adaptations have faced critical and commercial disappointments, highlighting the challenges of translating interactive gameplay and intricate narratives to the big screen. Success hinges on capturing the essence of the game while crafting a compelling storyline for a broader audience.Statista
A key to successful video game adaptations is a deep respect for the source material and an understanding of its core fan base.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Taylor Sheridan’s role in the ‘Call of Duty’ movie? Taylor Sheridan is co-writing the screenplay alongside Peter Berg.
- Who is directing the ‘Call of Duty’ film? peter Berg is directing the movie.
- When is the ‘Call of Duty’ movie expected to be released? A release date has not yet been announced.
- What is the significance of this project for Sheridan? It is indeed one of his final commitments to Paramount Pictures before moving to NBCUniversal.
- How successful has the ‘Call of Duty’ franchise been? The franchise has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
- What are the challenges in adapting a video game into a film? Capturing the essence of the game while creating a compelling storyline for a wider audience is a key challenge.
- What are some successful video game adaptations? The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is a recent example of a commercially successful adaptation.
How might Sheridan’s established neo-Western style influence the tone and thematic elements of a *Call of Duty* film, given the franchise’s focus on modern and future warfare?
Taylor Sheridan Takes on Paramount’s ‘Call of Duty’ film as Screenwriter
From Yellowstone to Warzone: Sheridan’s New Mission
The landscape of video game adaptations is shifting, and a major player has entered the arena. Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind the massively popular Yellowstone and its expanding universe of spin-offs (1883, 1923, 6666), has been tapped by Paramount Pictures to write the screenplay for their upcoming Call of Duty film. This news, confirmed in late October 2025, marks a meaningful departure for Sheridan, known for his neo-Westerns, and a bold move for Paramount as they attempt to translate the blockbuster gaming franchise to the big screen.
the Call of Duty franchise, a titan in the first-person shooter genre, boasts a complex narrative spanning multiple timelines and conflicts. Adapting this rich history presents a unique challenge, and Sheridan’s involvement suggests Paramount is aiming for a grounded, character-driven approach, a hallmark of his previous work.
Sheridan’s Unique Approach to action & Narrative
Sheridan’s success isn’t solely based on action; it’s rooted in compelling characters and morally ambiguous storylines. This is a key factor in why Paramount chose him for the Call of Duty adaptation. Previous attempts at video game movies have frequently enough stumbled by prioritizing spectacle over substance.
Hear’s what Sheridan brings to the table:
* Character Depth: Sheridan excels at crafting complex characters with relatable motivations, even within high-stakes scenarios. Expect a Call of Duty film that focuses on the soldiers behind the weapons.
* Realistic Dialog: His signature writing style emphasizes authentic dialogue, moving away from typical action movie tropes.
* Moral Complexity: Sheridan isn’t afraid to explore the gray areas of conflict, adding layers of nuance to potentially explosive situations. This is crucial for a franchise like Call of Duty,which often deals with the realities of modern warfare.
* world-Building: Sheridan’s ability to create immersive worlds, as demonstrated in the Yellowstone universe, will be invaluable in bringing the various Call of Duty settings to life.
The Challenges of Adapting a Multi-Faceted Franchise
The Call of Duty universe isn’t a single story; it’s a collection of interconnected narratives. This presents a significant hurdle for Sheridan and Paramount.
* Which Era? The franchise spans World War II, the Cold War, modern conflicts, and even futuristic settings. Choosing a specific timeline – or weaving multiple together – is a critical decision. early reports suggest a focus on the Modern Warfare sub-series, known for its gritty realism and compelling characters.
* Fan Expectations: Call of Duty has a massive and dedicated fanbase. Any adaptation will be scrutinized for its faithfulness to the source material. Balancing fan service with a compelling cinematic narrative is a delicate act.
* Maintaining the Action: While Sheridan’s strength lies in character growth, the Call of Duty franchise is synonymous with intense action sequences. The film needs to deliver on this front without sacrificing the narrative depth.
* Avoiding Genre Clichés: The action genre is saturated with tropes.Sheridan’s unique voice will be essential in avoiding predictable storylines and stale character archetypes.
Previous Video Game Adaptations: Lessons Learned
The history of video game adaptations is littered with critical and commercial failures. However, recent successes like the super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) demonstrate that the formula can work.
Key takeaways from these successes:
- Respect the source Material: Understanding what makes the game special is paramount.
- Focus on Character: audiences connect with relatable characters, even in fantastical settings.
- Embrace the Tone: the film should capture the spirit and atmosphere of the game.
- Don’t Alienate the Fans: While appealing to a broader audience is vital, alienating the core fanbase is a recipe for disaster.
The Paramount & Sheridan Partnership: A Strategic Move
Paramount’s decision to enlist Sheridan isn’t accidental. The studio is banking on his proven track record of creating commercially triumphant and critically acclaimed television.
* Sheridan’s Box Office Potential: While primarily known for TV, Sheridan’s name carries weight and attracts audiences.
* Expanding Paramount’s Action Portfolio: The Call of Duty film represents a significant investment in the action genre for Paramount.
* Leveraging a Popular IP: Call of Duty is one of the most recognizable brands in entertainment, offering a built-in audience.
* A New Approach to Blockbusters: Sheridan’s involvement signals a desire to move away from formulaic blockbusters and towards more character-driven action films.
Potential Call of Duty Storylines Sheridan Could explore
Given Sheridan’s strengths, here are some potential storylines he might tackle:
* **A Grounded Modern Warfare Narrative
