Call of Duty movie may finally start filming in 2026 — but there’s a catch

Why this Call of Duty movie news actually matters

This caught my attention because Call of Duty has been a cultural juggernaut for more than two decades, and the idea of a live-action blockbuster straight from that universe has been dangling over fans for years. Rumors now claim filming could begin in 2026, with Paramount and Activision involved and heavy-hitters Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Sicario) and Peter Berg (Lone Survivor, Patriots Day) attached. If true, this is the moment the long-discussed adaptation moves from pitch meetings to production-and that changes what gamers should expect.

• Filming reportedly eyed for 2026 – a concrete step after years of stalled plans.
• Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg suggest a gritty, modern-military tone rather than sci-fi spectacle.
• Paramount + Activision’s partnership signals a big-budget push, but no cast or release date yet.

Key takeaways

• Modern setting: The rumor says the film will mirror the series’ contemporary “modern warfare” entries – a safe choice for broad recognition.
• Creative tone: Sheridan and Berg point to a grounded, tense, action-first movie, not a bombastic, futuristic thriller.
• Still a rumor: Source is industry leaker Daniel Richtman; nothing official from Paramount/Activision yet—treat it as likely but unconfirmed.

Breaking down who’s attached — and why that matters

Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg isn’t a random pairing. Sheridan’s strongest work (Sicario, Hell or High Water) leans on moral ambiguity, tight scripts, and landscape-as-character — he can make violence feel consequential. Berg has built a resume of muscular, militarized blockbusters (Lone Survivor), which means he knows how to stage kinetic combat and large-scale set pieces. Together, they suggest a Call of Duty movie that leans into gritty realism and high-tempo action rather than dazzling sci-fi set design.

That could be a good fit. Call of Duty’s most recognizable entries in recent years are the “modern warfare” titles — grounded soldiering, tactical raids, and political gray areas. A film that captures that tone could satisfy players who crave authenticity. But it’s also a prickly tightrope: get too realistic and the film risks being accused of glamorizing real-world conflict; go too stylized and you alienate fans who expect military fidelity.

Why now — and what changed since earlier attempts

This isn’t a new idea. Activision filed a trademark in 2009 and even considered a cinematic universe in 2017. Back then, voices inside the company pushed back. As former CEO Bobby Kotick put it years ago (translated from French source material): “films based on video games rarely satisfy the most faithful fans and could harm the brand’s image.” That caution slowed things for a long time.

Fast forward to today: studios are less timid about gaming IP, streaming windows and global box office potential make tentpoles attractive, and Activision now has the corporate heft to commit. If Paramount is seriously onboard and production is truly penciled in for 2026, the business calculus has finally aligned in favor of making the film rather than shelving it as a risky experiment.

What gamers should realistically expect

Don’t expect a love letter to every fan theory or a universe-spanning saga on day one. Expect a single, self-contained film that uses familiar Call of Duty beats: small units, high-stakes raids, and moral friction between mission and consequence. If Sheridan and Berg stick to form, the movie will trade multiplayer spectacle for a strong central narrative and a handful of memorable set pieces.

Also brace for commercial realities: big-budget war movies usually come with marketing tie-ins, cross-promos in the game itself, and potential DLC or in-game events. That could be cool for players who want crossover content — but it also opens the door to opportunistic monetization. Keep a skeptical eye on how much the film serves storytelling versus selling more game cosmetics and bundles.

Looking ahead

Right now the news is a rumor with weighty names attached. If filming really starts in 2026, expect more concrete announcements soon: casting, a release window, and whether the film plugs into a longer franchise plan. For players who’ve wanted a straight-up Call of Duty movie, this is the closest thing to confirmation yet. For everyone else, remain excited—but cautious. Video game adaptations have learned a few lessons in the last decade; the question is whether this one learned them well enough to finally get it right.

TL;DR

Rumors point to a Call of Duty live-action film filming in 2026 with Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg attached. That pairing promises a gritty, modern-military take that could satisfy fans—if the movie avoids turning into a marketing vehicle. Treat the news as promising but unconfirmed until studios speak.