Since it was announced that Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg would team up for a live-action Call of Duty film, fans have speculated about which of the more than 30 mainline games would serve as its foundation.
Variety reports that during a panel at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Saturday, Berg confirmed that the film will be set within the universe of the popular Modern Warfare games. The filmmaker appeared during a “Call of Duty in Culture” panel promoting the upcoming release of Modern Warfare 4.
An image from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (2026) – Activision, Infinity Ward
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Further details about the story remain under wraps. It is also unclear whether the film will directly adapt one of the games or tell an original story using established characters and settings.
Call of Duty Enters the Modern Era
The original Call of Duty launched in 2003 and focused on combat during World War II. However, the franchise underwent a major transformation with the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007.
The game moved the series into a contemporary setting while introducing fan-favorite characters such as Captain Price, John “Soap” MacTavish, and Gaz. It also helped turn Call of Duty into one of the entertainment industry’s most successful franchises.
Setting the Call of Duty film in the Modern Warfare universe gives Sheridan and Berg a large collection of characters, conflicts, and locations to draw from. It also means the film will likely resemble a contemporary military thriller rather than the World War II drama suggested by the earliest games.
Taylor Sheridan Brings His Approach to Call of Duty
Sheridan is co-writing and producing the adaptation with Berg, who will also direct. David Glasser of 101 Studios is among the producers.
Although he is now best known for his work on television, with hit series such as Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Tulsa King, Lioness, and Landman, Sheridan is no stranger to film. The writer, producer, and director has built his career around morally complicated characters operating in violent environments. He previously wrote Wind River, Hell or High Water, Sicario, and several other films.
Taylor Sheridan speaks to CBS – YouTube, CBS Sunday Morning
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In a recent interview, Sheridan shared his writing philosophy.
“I’m pretty common and I’m going to tell stories that common people are going to understand. That’s most of America,” he said. Sheridan went on to explain that he writes with the audience in mind and that his goal is to “move them, make them think, make them laugh, scare the s**t out of them, excite them.”
It is an approach that has proven successful on television. Many of Taylor Sheridan’s fans are optimistic that it will translate well to a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare film.
Meanwhile, Berg has considerable experience directing military and action films, including Lone Survivor, The Kingdom, Battleship, and Deepwater Horizon.
Call of Duty Heads to Theaters in 2028
Paramount and Activision announced their partnership to develop the film in September 2025. The companies have emphasized their intention to preserve the identity of the games while making the movie accessible to audiences unfamiliar with the franchise.
An image from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Call of Duty
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The Call of Duty film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 30, 2028, shortly before the franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary. No casting announcements have been made.
What do you think about Taylor Sheridan setting his Call of Duty film in the Modern Warfare universe? Sound off and let us know!
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