Peter Berg’s Bold Take on Call of Duty and Gamers: A Blast from the Past

Peter Berg, known for directing films that glorify the US military, is set to helm the upcoming Call of Duty movie for Paramount. With a portfolio that includes titles like Lone Survivor and Patriots Day, Berg seems like a fitting choice for adapting one of the world’s most beloved military shooters into a cinematic experience. However, his views on gaming might raise a few eyebrows.

Back in 2013, during an interview with Esquire, Berg didn’t hold back when discussing video games. He made headlines for labeling gamers as “pathetic” and criticized those who spend hours glued to their screens. His comments resurfaced recently, stirring conversations among gamers and fans alike.

In the interview, Berg was asked about military video games, particularly in light of his promotion of Lone Survivor. He responded bluntly: “Pathetic. Pathetic. Keyboard courage. Can’t stand it.” He mentioned that the only people worthy of a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for playing Call of Duty are the military personnel who might be looking for entertainment during their downtime. However, he expressed disdain for kids indulging in such games.

When asked if the Navy SEALs he knows play these games, he admitted that some do, but he still regards the activity as weak and urged them to engage in more active pursuits instead.

With these strong opinions in mind, one might wonder how Berg will channel these sentiments into a film that embraces the spirit of Call of Duty. Given that he’s taken on adaptations before, there’s hope that he can separate his past feelings from the project. Perhaps he’s mellowed over the years, or maybe he’s even found himself enjoying a match or two during the lockdowns of 2020. If so, it would be interesting to see how he’d fare in a friendly battle on Rust, focusing solely on those quick-scopes!

As we await the film’s release, it’s clear that Berg’s journey from critic to creator will be one to watch. Will he embrace the gaming culture, or will his perspective remain unchanged? Only time will tell!