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Activision Passed on Spielberg’s ‘Call of Duty’ Pitch, Chooses Paramount Deal

New reporting says the director sought final cut with full control, prompting Activision to favor a deal that preserved oversight.

Overview

  • Paramount confirmed this week it will develop a live-action Call of Duty feature with Activision, with the option to expand the property across film and television.
  • Puck News reports that Steven Spielberg and Amblin, with Universal attached, pitched a version he would direct, seeking top-of-market terms, final cut, and control over production and marketing.
  • Sources cited by Puck say those demands "spooked" Activision, which instead accepted Paramount and Skydance chief David Ellison’s offer that allowed the publisher more input; neither Activision nor Spielberg has independently confirmed these details.
  • The film remains in early development with no director, cast, budget details, or release timeline announced.
  • Activision, now owned by Microsoft, is guarding a flagship franchise that has sold over 500 million copies, while Spielberg’s long-standing ties to military games and adaptations help explain his reported interest; the timing of his pitch is not yet clear.