‘Call Of Duty’ movie director thinks video game fans are “pathetic”

Call Of Duty movie director Peter Berg has gone viral for comments he made about gamers in a 2013 interview.

Set to hit cinemas in 2028, the upcoming live-action Call Of Duty movie adaptation will be directed by Peter Berg from a script written by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan.

According to a joint statement from Activision and Paramount, the Call Of Duty movie will be “designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series” of first-person shooter video games. “Both companies are committed to honouring the brand’s rich narrative and distinctive style, promising an authentic and exciting experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.”

Paramount boss David Ellison has also revealed that he’s spent “countless hours” playing Call Of Duty games. “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,” he added.

However, an interview Peter Berg did in 2013 has recently been unearthed that is less complimentary about fans of the franchise. Speaking to Esquire, he said America needs to “toughen up” and called people who play war video games “pathetic”.

“Keyboard courage. Can’t stand it. The only people that I give a Call Of Duty get-out-of-jail-free card to is the military. They’re out there serving and they’re bored and they want to entertain themselves? Okay, maybe. Kids? Uh-uh,” he explained. Berg said that some of his Navy SEAL friends played Call Of Duty. “But I tell them I think it’s pathetic. I think anyone that sits around playing video games for four hours… It’s weak. Get out, do something.”

In 2016, Berg directed the live-action ‘Screw It’ trailer for Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare which starred Michael Phelps and Danny McBride. He returned to the franchise the following year for a live-action trailer for Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare starring Taylor Kitsch and Emily Ratajkowski.

However, Berg’s comments have left Call Of Duty fans worried about the upcoming movie. “So they’ve hired a director who hates video games? This movie is going to be straight ass,” wrote one X user. “I have a genuine belief that anytime they make a video game movie they specifically seek out the worst director for it possible,” said another. “It’s gonna be another Starship Troopers situation, where the director despises the source material and creates an abomination that’s the spiritual opposite of its origin,” added another fan on Reddit.

The Call Of Duty movie will be released in cinemas June 20, 2028. So far, no details about cast or plot have been shared.

In other news, a new website has launched for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie, confirming the adaptation will hit cinemas later this year.