Call of Duty Movie Director’s Controversial Comments About Video Games Resurface

Call of Duty movie director Peter Berg is facing scrutiny after controversial comments he made about video games 13 years ago have resurfaced online. The Call of Duty film was officially announced in September 2025, when Paramount Pictures partnered with Activision to bring one of gaming’s most iconic franchises to the big screen.

A few months later, it was revealed that the Call of Duty film will hit the theaters in Summer 2029. The project was showcased as a fan-focused adaptation, aiming to capture the high-intensity action that has defined the series. It was also confirmed that Berg would serve as director, co-producer, and co-writer, featuring credits like Hancock, The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights, and Battleship. His involvement in the project generated a lot of hype around it at first, though that enthusiasm has now turned into skepticism, as his past remarks about video games continue to make waves online.

Call of Duty Film Director Criticizes Video Games

Back in 2013, Esquire did an interview with Berg while he was working on his war film Lone Survivor. When he was asked about his opinion on war video games, Berg stated that they’re “pathetic,” and he couldn’t stand them. He added that the only people he would give a “Call of Duty get-out-of-jail free card” to are military personnel, as they serve and may simply be looking to pass the time. When asked whether Navy SEALs also play such games, he stated that “some of them do”, but still tells them he finds it “pathetic”. Berg also remarked that anyone who spends hours playing video games is “weak” and should “get out, do something.”

Although these remarks are over a decade old, and Berg’s decision to take on the Call of Duty film might have changed his views, fans over on social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter are not convinced. Many believe that his past comments are telling of the direction the film will take, fearing it will stray away from the core elements that define the franchise in favor of a mainstream appeal. For die-hard fans, this is a recipe for yet another failed video game adaptation where filmmakers simply struggle to honor the source material. Some in the community have voiced the opinion that Steven Spielberg would have been a far more fitting choice to lead the project, given that the director had previously expressed a genuine interest in bringing Call of Duty to life on screen and is a known fan of the franchise.

Image via Activision

These concerns are not isolated to the Call of Duty film alone. A similar controversy emerged when Noah Hawley commented on the upcoming Far Cry TV series, claiming that players typically skip cutscenes, and that he has no intention of directly adapting any of Ubisoft’s existing titles in the franchise, arguing that the nature of games does not lead to compelling drama. This has reinforced the belief among fans that adaptations should be led by those who actually play and love games, capable of translating their stories, atmospheres, themes, and the very essence of what makes them special.

While doubts continue to surround the Call of Duty film, the gaming side looks considerably more promising. Although the series will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, rumors suggest Microsoft is planning to add older Call of Duty games to the service. This will give players the chance to revisit the classic entries that helped define and shape the franchise into what it is today.

Source: Esquire