The film adaptation of the famous shooter series is set to hit theaters in 2028. However, a few years ago, the director didn’t exactly think much of video game fans.
Call of Duty is being adapted into a movie, and although there are no details on the plot yet, we at least already know the screenwriter and the director. While the latter is familiar with both action movies and military themes, he doesn’t have much regard for video games—or, more precisely, their fans—at least according to earlier statements.
Peter Berg considers gaming “pathetic”
This and other statements by the director of films such as Lone Survivor, Boston, Operation: Kingdom, and Friday Night Lights were recently shared by a user onResetEra forumdug up.
They come from aEsquire interviewfrom 2013 and show thatPeter Bergspoke, at least back then,very disparaginglyabout video games and their users. When asked what he thinks about war-themed video games, he says:
Pathetic. Pathetic. Bravery behind a keyboard. I can’t stand it. The only people I’d give a free pass out of prison for playing Call of Duty are soldiers. They’re out there on a mission, bored, and want to entertain themselves? Okay, maybe. Kids? No way.
Members of the U.S. Navy SEALs are always welcome at Berg’s home. Esquire wanted to know if these soldiers play such games:
Some actually do. But I tell them I think it’s pathetic. I think anyone who just sits around playing video games for four hours… That’s weak. Get out there, do something.
Interesting Choice for a CoD Movie
Of course, Peter Berg is entitled to his own opinion on the matter. But as a Call of Duty fan, one might question whether someone who so explicitly disparages thesource material for a filmis the right choice.
Not to mention what he thought at the time of the interview about the people who are fans of the video game series he is now supposed to adapt into a movie. However, one shouldn’t forget that these statementswere made thirteen years ago, so his perspective may have changed.
Incidentally, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has been hired as the screenwriter. With the two Sicario films and the series Lioness, he has produced not only many neo-westerns but also projects that would fit well with Call of Duty.
It is not yet known whether a completely new story will be written for the upcoming film or whether one of the games’ 21 single-player campaigns will be used as the narrative basis. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 30, 2028.