Paramount has confirmed it will adapt the blockbuster military shooter Call of Duty into what it hopes will be a blockbuster film series. New Paramount CEO David Ellison said he is a fan of the series and calls the chance to adapt it a "dream come true."
"We're approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on Top Gun: Maverick, ensuring it meets the exceptionally high standards this franchise and its fans deserve,” Ellison told the Hollywood Reporter. "I can promise that we are resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honors the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand—thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation."
This plans seems to make sense. After all, even the most basic COD has a more explainable plot than say, Super Mario Bros. or Minecraft, adaptations that have already made millions of dollars. But for every Super Mario Bros, there's been a Need for Speed.
EA's popular racer was the subject of a bidding war as studios were busy searching for the next Fast and Furious franchise. Dreamworks won the bidding war, but lost at the box office as its adaptation never got out of second gear.
Paramount itself has already stumbled in this genre, cancelling its Halo TV show after two seasons despite favorable reviews. Hollywood is always seeking IPs that bring a dedicated fanbase to monetize, doing much of the marketing work for them. But as anyone who's worked with Star Wars recently can tell you, those fans are also the franchise's harshest critics.
App Trigger will keep you posted on the progress of this video game adaptation, including the inevitable announcement of what role Jack Black will play.