Alan Ritchson on Call of Duty Movie and Zombies

Alan Ritchson, the actor known for roles in Smallville and Reacher, says Call of Duty is his favorite game and would consider joining the upcoming Call of Duty movie—provided the story is right. He also wants the film to include Zombies, even though the movie is planned within the Modern Warfare setting.

Key takeaways

Alan Ritchson calls Call of Duty his favorite video game and is open to appearing in the upcoming movie if the script fits.
He said video game adaptations “scare” him because so few have worked, citing mixed results for the genre.
Ritchson specifically urged the Call of Duty film to feature Zombies, describing that mode as the best part of the series.
The movie is set in the Modern Warfare universe, with Paramount producing.
Direction is handled by Peter Berg, while Taylor Sheridan wrote the screenplay.
On the game side, Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for release this October, with a free multiplayer beta in August.

Ritchson’s take on video game movies and why Zombies should show up

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Alan Ritchson said video game-to-film projects “scare” him because “so few work.” He referenced the uneven track record of game adaptations, pointing to 2024’s Borderlands as an example of a major failure while also acknowledging major successes such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Minecraft.

Ritchson argued that adaptations tend to succeed when they are built for kids first, or when they are fun and self-aware rather than overly serious. He added that projects that understand what they are and “have a good time” are the ones that land.

When asked whether he would take a role in the Call of Duty movie, he responded that he loves Call of Duty and would be interested “if the story is right.” He then pushed for the film to include Zombies, calling it the best part of the franchise.

Modern Warfare movie details, plus what’s next for the games

The Call of Duty movie is planned to take place in the Modern Warfare universe. That’s a setting that isn’t typically associated with Zombies, but Ritchson’s comments suggest at least some appetite for bringing the mode into the film’s world.

No casting has been confirmed yet. However, the production is set up with Paramount as the producer, Peter Berg directing, and Taylor Sheridan writing the script.

Meanwhile, Call of Duty fans also have a near-term game release to watch: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to arrive this October. A free multiplayer beta is planned for August ahead of launch.