Introduction

The upcoming Call of Duty film, directed by Peter Berg, has drawn the attention of the gaming community, especially because of controversial remarks Berg made in the past about video game players. In a 2013 interview with Esquire, he called gamers of war games like Call of Duty "weak" and "pathetic." Those old comments have resurfaced and sparked intense discussion among fans of the series.

Peter Berg and his remarks

Peter Berg, known for films such as Battleship and Lone Survivor, made comments at the time that reflected his views on video games. He said he had no sympathy for non-military people who play these games. Berg stressed that he only gave military players a "Call of Duty get-out-of-jail-free card," because they are actually involved in military service. He went on to say that it is weak to sit still and play games for four hours instead of actively participating in life.

In the interview, Berg said: "I think anybody sitting around gaming for four hours... it's weak. Go outside, do something." These remarks, though more than a decade old, have been brought back into the conversation, especially now that Berg is leading a film rooted in gaming culture.

Impact on the film

The controversy around Berg's comments has raised questions about his suitability as director for the Call of Duty film. Some fans of the franchise have speculated whether Berg can properly understand and appreciate the source material, given his earlier dismissal of gamers. Those feelings have been amplified by the recent announcement of the film, which is scheduled for release on June 30, 2028.

Activision and Paramount, which are working together on the film, have released few specific details about the story or characters. During CinemaCon 2026, a teaser was shown featuring footage from the game, with Berg assuring viewers that he understood the truth of soldiers' lives