When you think of iconic scenes from Steven Spielberg’s legendary filmography, a few unforgettable images come to mind: a monstrous great white shark slicing through the ocean to the pulse of John Williams’ chilling Jaws theme; a glowing fingertip raised by a homesick alien named E.T.; a towering T-Rex chasing down a fleeing jeep in Jurassic Park; or Indiana Jones sprinting for his life as a massive boulder barrels behind him. Now imagine adding Captain Price and Ghost from Call of Duty to that list, mowing down enemies in a gritty, cinematic war zone.
That last one almost happened. Almost.
According to a recent rumor report from Puck News, Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a Call of Duty movie. Steven Spielberg and Call of Duty seems like a no-brainer—a fusion of two juggernauts from film and gaming, stacking a blockbuster legend on top of a billion-dollar franchise. What could possibly go wrong, right?
By Elena Ternovaja – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Apparently, Activision wasn’t too keen on the idea—Spielberg and his Amblin production company reportedly wanted full creative control. It’s a bit like legendary coach Bill Belichick allegedly demanding full control and GM duties from the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the Patriots. Eight Super Bowl rings or not, that kind of ask was just too steep.
“But with Spielberg comes the famous Spielberg Deal, which includes top-of-market economics, final cut, and full control over production and marketing,” Puck News said. This reportedly scared Activision off, who ultimately passed on Spielberg’s vision in favor of a competing pitch from Paramount—one that gave the publisher more control over the project. As of now, no director is attached, and casting remains wide open.”
“We’re approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on Top Gun: Maverick,” said Paramount CEO David Ellison when the Call of Duty movie was announced earlier this week. “Our goal is to ensure it meets the exceptionally high standards this franchise—and its fans—deserve.”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2/Activision Blizzard
He added, “We’re resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honors the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand—thrilling longtime Call of Duty fans while captivating an entirely new generation.”
Spielberg’s next project is an as-yet-untitled sci-fi film written by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colin Firth. It’s set to hit theaters next summer.
What do you think of the fact that Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a Call of Duty movie? Do you think the legendary director would have been a good fit for bringing Call of Duty to the big screen?
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