The massive "Call of Duty" first-person shooter video game franchise is getting the big screen treatment. Paramount has signed a deal with Microsoft-owned game publisher Activision to make a live-action feature film. The cost of the deal was not disclosed. Under this new partnership, Paramount will develop, produce and distribute the blockbuster.
The "Call of Duty" franchise includes no less than 23 games (not including mobile versions, spin-offs, or expansions). The original game in the series was released in 2003. The deal also specifies the potential for Paramount to expand the "Call of Duty" universe across film and TV.
Of course, there are no details about the film's focus, but given that the games are military themed first-person shooters with either a historical, modern or sci-fi twist, it's safe to assume that the new movie won't stray too far from the "source material". The newest entry in the video game series, "Black Ops 7" will release this fall.
The news comes only a month after Paramount finalized its $8 billion merger with David Ellison's Skydance. The newly merged companies also managed to nab "Stranger Things" creators the Duffer Brothers from Netflix and beaome the home of Ultimate Fighting Championship events for seven years, a deal that cost them $7.7 billion.
Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard merged with Microsoft two years ago for the small price of $68.7 billion, which gave the tech company control over its hefty gaming portfolio that includes "Call of Duty", "Diablo, "Warcraft" and "Starcraft". The "Call of Duty" video game franchise has sold 500 million copies globally and drew $30 billion in revenue as of 2022.
Paramount chairman and CEO David Ellison said the following: "As a lifelong fan of 'Call of Duty' this is truly a dream come true. From the first Allied campaigns in the original 'Call of Duty', through 'Modern Warfare' and 'Black Ops', I've spent countless hours playing this franchise that I absolutely love. 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."
Activision president Rob Kostich added: "Throughout its history, 'Call of Duty' has captured our imagination with incredible action and intense stories that have brought millions of people together from around the world, and that focus on making incredible 'Call of Duty' games remains unwavering. With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner who we will work with to take that visceral, breathtaking action to the big screen in a defining cinematic moment. The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started."
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