Paramount has tapped its biggest asset for the live-action Call of Duty adaptation, Taylor Sheridan, who will be penning the movie alongside his longtime friend Peter Berg (via Deadline). Berg is also set to direct the feature, and both Berg and Sheridan will be producing the upcoming adaptation from Paramount and Activision, along with David Glasser.
This announcement comes just a day after it was unveiled that Sheridan would be leaving Paramount in 2029, which came as a shocker, as the Paramount+ service has been standing on the back of the Sicario writer’s works.
Taylor Sheridan Will Be Leaving Paramount Post Call Of Duty
Sheridan’s departure from Paramount stems from his massive five-year deal with NBCUniversal for movies, TV, and streaming. It’s important to note that the partnership won’t be kicking off until 2029, which means the writer will stick with Paramount through 2028, making his COD
Nonetheless, Sheridan’s exit from Paramount is a huge deal, as the execs at the media giant acknowledged the weight of Sheridan’s works that shaped the base for its streaming service, whether it’s Tulsa King or 1923. Speaking of the Yellowstone creator’s impact, Paramount’s Chair of Direct-to-Consumer Cindy Holland stressed (via Deadline):
On Paramount+ today, we have a really great foundation, which is the Taylor Sheridan universe,
Then again, according to reports, his new deal with NBCUniversal could reach the $1B mark, far bigger than his reported $200M deal with Paramount, as per a separate Deadline report. Now coming back to COD, putting Sheridan, arguably one of the best writers in the current climate, on the live-action adaptation is certainly the right move, especially after Spielberg was allegedly let go.
For the uninitiated, Puck previously reported that before Activision handed over the reins of COD to Paramount, Steven Spielberg and his production house, Amblin Entertainment, had expressed interest in adapting the IP. However, Activision apparently declined the offer over creative control, which is a shame, as a Spielberg-driven COD movie screams perfection.
Hopefully, Sheridan will be granted full creative control and Activision will keep itself at a distance, allowing the writer to realize his vision.
What are your expectations for the COD adaptation? Comment below!
No release date for the Call of Duty movie has been made public.
