The upcoming Call of Duty movie director is a man with a complicated history regarding the very subject he is now set to adapt. Peter Berg, the filmmaker tapped by Paramount to helm the project, has a reputation for bringing military heroism to the big screen.

While his filmography includes heavy-hitting titles like Lone Survivor and Patriots Day, his past comments about gaming are far from heroic. Before receiving a significant check for this adaptation, Berg's views on the medium were notably harsh.

The Call of Duty Movie Director's Controversial Past

Recently unearthed by a ResetEra thread and shared by GamesRadar, an old interview has resurfaced to stir controversy. In a 2013 Q&0 with Esquire's Julian Sancton, Berg did not hold back his disdain for the hobby.

At the time of the interview, Berg was promoting Lone Survivor and had recently released the film adaptation of the board game Battleship. When the conversation turned to masculinity, sports, and video games, Berg’s response was blunt.

"Pathetic" and "Weak": The 2013 Interview

During the exchange, the Call of Duty movie director made it clear that he viewed gaming as a waste of time. He specifically targeted those who spend excessive amounts of time in front of a screen.

According to the Esquire transcript, Berg's views included:

  • Labeling war video games as "pathetic."
  • Describing players as having "keyboard courage."
  • Calling anyone who plays for four hours straight "weak."
  • Stating that only active military members receive a "get-out-of-jail-free card" to play due to boredom.

Berg even addressed his relationship with Navy SEALs, noting that while he spends time with them, he tells them directly that he finds their gaming habits pathetic. He urged players to "get out, do something" rather than sitting around playing games.

Can Berg Set Aside His Feelings for the Adaptation?

As Berg has previously handled adaptations like Battleship, he clearly knows how to navigate existing IPs. However, it suggests the co-writer and director may not be approaching this specific project with any inherent affection for the franchise.

It has been 13 years since that interview took place. It is possible that the Call of Duty movie director has eased up on his stance or perhaps even played a round of Warzone during the 2020 lockdown.

Whether he can trade his old criticisms for cinematic excellence remains to be seen. For now, fans are left wondering if the man who once called gamers "weak" can deliver the ultimate tribute to the world's most popular military shooter.