As reported by PuckNews, iconic director Steven Spielberg, famous for films such as Saving Private Ryan and E.T., has shown a keen interest in bringing the popular video game series Call of Duty (CoD) to the big screen. A self-proclaimed fan of CoD, Spielberg reportedly made an enthusiastic pitch for the film adaptation, reflecting his dedication to the project.
Nonetheless, Activision, the company behind Call of Duty, rejected Spielberg’s proposal. The main reason for this refusal was Activision’s hesitation to cede full creative authority to Spielberg over the film, a stipulation often referred to as the “Spielberg deal” within Hollywood. This arrangement would have granted Spielberg oversight on all facets of production, marketing, and the film’s final cut, a level of control that filmmakers seldom receive from studios.
The choice to turn Spielberg down has shocked the CoD community, with many fans believing that Spielberg’s impressive record as a director would have made him the perfect candidate for the adaptation. In spite of this, Activision has opted to collaborate with Paramount for the CoD film, ensuring that the publisher maintains influence over the creative choices for the project. Information regarding this adaptation remains limited.
Interestingly, Spielberg has a history of involvement in video games. He played a crucial role in developing the Medal of Honor series, which focused on historical fidelity and realism. The initial three installments were co-produced by Spielberg and are seen as forerunners to Call of Duty. Several developers from Medal of Honor were subsequently recruited by Activision to establish Infinity Ward, the team behind the first Call of Duty installment.