Call of Duty Movie Director Calling Gamers ‘Pathetic’ Leaves Fans Outraged

Call of Duty fans are outraged at director Peter Berg, who once called gamers “pathetic.”

How are fans reacting to Peter Berg calling video games pathetic?

In October 2025, Paramount announced a Call of Duty movie, with Berg directing from a screenplay he will co-write with Taylor Sheridan. The war movie is an adaptation of the popular Call of Duty video game franchise.

Despite directing the Call of Duty movie, Berg once shared controversial comments about video games and the people who play them. During a 2013 interview with Esquire, Berg was asked for his take on war video games.

“Pathetic. Pathetic. Keyboard courage. Can’t stand it,” Berg said. “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.”

Berg is a known advocate for the military and directed 2013’s Lone Survivor. Berg was asked if Navy SEALs are allowed to play Call of Duty at his house in Montana.

“Some of them do. But I tell them I think it’s pathetic,” Berg added. “I think anyone who sits around playing video games for four hours… It’s weak. Get out. Do something.”

Berg’s resurfaced comments have not sat well with Call of Duty fans.

“Will not be seeing the Call of Duty movie due to Peter Berg’s comments against gamers. A disgusting individual,” Scoob wrote on X.

“Bro was hating on Call of Duty in its prime. Why is he making the movie now?” Xen HunterTV said on X.

“It’s even more pathetic to say this and then make a movie from a game. What a loser,” Firebreather451 responded on X.

Berg has not commented on the viral quote from his 2013 interview. However, it’s safe to say that Berg will likely have to address them at some point before the movie enters production.

Paramount and Activision will team up for the Call of Duty adaptation, which hits theaters on June 30, 2028.

Source: Comingsoon.net