The rumor first surfaced earlier this month on social media platforms, with posts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok igniting a firestorm of speculation. A viral Facebook post from September 9, 2025, declared, “BREAKING NEWS: Pedro Pascal is rumored to play Captain Price in the Paramount-produced ‘CALL OF DUTY’ movie,” amassing thousands of shares and comments within hours. Reddit threads on subreddits like r/COD and r/CoDCompetitive exploded with debates, while TikTok users created fan edits superimposing Pascal’s face onto Price’s in-game model. Paramount has yet to issue an official statement, but industry insiders tell us that negotiations are underway, with a potential announcement slated for the upcoming New York Comic Con in October. This development comes hot on the heels of Paramount’s August 2025 deal with Activision Blizzard to bring the Call of Duty universe to the big screen, a move that has gamers and cinephiles alike holding their breath.
Pedro Pascal, 50, has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars in recent years, thanks to a string of high-profile roles that showcase his versatility, charisma, and ability to embody complex anti-heroes. Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in the United States, Pascal’s journey to stardom was anything but straightforward. He honed his craft in theater and small TV roles before breaking out as the cunning Oberyn Martell in HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2014. His portrayal of the Red Viper—equal parts seductive and savage—earned him a cult following and opened doors to bigger opportunities. From there, Pascal starred as DEA agent Javier Peña in Netflix’s Narcos, bringing gravitas to the war on drugs narrative with his brooding intensity and moral ambiguity.
But it was Disney’s The Mandalorian in 2019 that catapulted Pascal to global superstardom. As the helmeted bounty hunter Din Djarin, he delivered a performance that was both stoic and soulful, proving he could command a screen even with his face obscured. The role not only spawned memes and merchandise but also led to his casting in The Last of Us (2023), where he played Joel Miller, a hardened survivor in a post-apocalyptic world. Pascal’s nuanced depiction of a man haunted by loss and driven by protection resonated deeply with audiences, earning him Emmy nominations and solidifying his status as a leading man capable of anchoring tentpole franchises. More recently, he appeared in Gladiator II (2024) as a cunning Roman general, showcasing his action chops in Ridley Scott’s epic sequel.
What draws Paramount to Pascal for Captain Price? Insiders point to his ability to blend rugged masculinity with emotional depth—a perfect match for Price’s character arc. Price, first introduced in 2007’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, is a battle-hardened British Special Air Service (SAS) captain known for his tactical acumen, dry wit, and unyielding loyalty to his team. Voiced memorably by Barry Sloane in recent iterations, Price has evolved from a supporting role to a central figure in the Modern Warfare reboots, facing off against global threats like ultranationalists and terrorists. His signature cigar, boonie hat, and phrases like “Bravo Six, going dark” have become synonymous with the franchise’s gritty realism and high-stakes action.
Fans have long fantasized about who could bring Price to life on screen. Previous rumors floated names like Tom Hardy or Idris Elba, but Pascal’s name has sparked a fresh wave of intrigue. “Pedro has that everyman quality mixed with star power,” says film critic Elena Vasquez of Variety. “He’s got the gravitas to play a war-weary veteran, and his charm could add layers to Price’s sarcasm.” However, not all reactions are positive. On Reddit, user u/GhostReconFanatic posted, “Pascal is great, but Price is British through and through. Can he pull off the accent without it sounding forced?” TikTok creator @cactusjuice94 echoed this in a video viewed over 500,000 times: “I have no opinion on Pedro Pascal but let’s be honest, he would not fit the role.”
The Call of Duty franchise itself is a behemoth, with over 400 million copies sold since its debut in 2003. Developed by Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games under Activision’s umbrella, the series has spanned World War II battles, futuristic warfare, and modern conflicts, grossing more than $30 billion in revenue. The Modern Warfare subseries, in particular, has been a cultural phenomenon, influencing everything from military simulations to pop culture memes. Its narratives tackle themes of espionage, betrayal, and the moral ambiguities of war, drawing inspiration from real-world events like the Gulf War and the War on Terror.
Adapting Call of Duty to film has been a Hollywood pipe dream for years. Early attempts in the 2010s stalled due to creative differences, but Paramount’s involvement signals a renewed push. The studio, fresh off successes like Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), sees potential in the game’s cinematic set pieces—think helicopter chases, stealth missions, and explosive firefights. Rumored director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) is said to be circling the project, bringing his knack for intelligent action to the table. The script, reportedly penned by Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole, aims to focus on the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot’s storyline, where Price assembles Task Force 141 to combat a rogue Russian general.
If Pascal signs on, he could join a growing list of A-listers in video game adaptations, a genre that’s shed its cursed reputation thanks to hits like The Last of Us and Fallout (2024). Pascal’s own experience in The Last of Us makes him a natural fit; he navigated the transition from pixels to live-action with aplomb, earning praise for humanizing Joel’s brutality. “Video games are the new frontier for storytelling,” Pascal said in a 2023 interview with GQ. “They have these rich characters that deserve big-screen treatment.” Could Price be his next conquest?
Beyond casting, the film’s production details are shrouded in secrecy. Paramount’s deal with Activision, announced on September 2, 2025, via a joint press release, promises a “faithful yet innovative” take on the series. Budget estimates hover around $200 million, with filming potentially starting in early 2026 in locations like the UK, Morocco, and Los Angeles soundstages. Visual effects house Industrial Light & Magic is rumored to handle the game’s signature realism, from bullet-time sequences to destructible environments. Co-producer Skydance Media, known for Mission: Impossible films, adds action pedigree, ensuring high-octane thrills.
Fan theories abound on how the movie might unfold. Will it recreate iconic missions like “All Ghillied Up” from Modern Warfare, where Price and Captain MacMillan snipe through Chernobyl’s ruins? Or delve into Price’s backstory, exploring his SAS roots and personal demons? One popular fan edit on YouTube imagines Pascal uttering Price’s famous line, “What the hell kind of name is Soap?” to a yet-uncast Soap MacTavish—perhaps played by a rising star like Barry Keoghan or Timothée Chalamet.
The rumor’s timing couldn’t be better for Paramount, as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches in October 2025, hyping the franchise anew. Activision’s recent acquisition by Microsoft in 2023 has expanded its reach, with crossovers in Fortnite and Warzone keeping the brand alive. A successful film could spawn a cinematic universe, much like Marvel’s, with sequels featuring characters like Ghost or Gaz.
Critics, however, warn of pitfalls. Video game movies have a spotty history—think the maligned Super Mario Bros. (1993) or Assassin’s Creed (2016). Success stories like Detective Pikachu (2019) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) succeeded by embracing source material whimsy, but Call of Duty‘s mature themes—violence, geopolitics—demand careful handling to avoid glorifying war. “The key is balance,” says gaming analyst Michael Pachter. “Pascal could ground it in humanity, making it more than just explosions.”
Social media reactions reflect this divide. On X (formerly Twitter), #PedroAsPrice trends with mixed memes: one shows Pascal’s Mandalorian helmet swapped for Price’s boonie hat, captioned “This is the way… to victory.” Another, from user @CodMemesDaily, jokes, “Pedro Pascal as Price? Next, they’ll cast The Rock as a zombie in Black Ops.” Positive voices praise his range: “From Joel to Price—Pedro’s got the dad energy down pat,” tweets @FanGirlGamer.
As the rumor mill churns, Pascal remains mum, focusing on promoting his upcoming thriller Materialists with Dakota Johnson. But if history is any guide, his track record suggests he’d approach Price with the same dedication that made Joel iconic. “I love roles that challenge perceptions,” he told Esquire last year. “Heroes aren’t perfect; they’re flawed, and that’s what makes them real.”
For now, the Call of Duty movie remains in pre-production limbo, but Pascal’s rumored involvement has injected adrenaline into the project. Will he don the tactical vest and lead Task Force 141 to box-office glory? Only time—and an official announcement—will tell. In the meantime, fans are locked and loaded, ready for what could be the ultimate crossover of gaming and cinema. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
To delve deeper into why this casting rumor has captivated so many, let’s explore Pascal’s evolution as an actor. Starting in the late 1990s with bit parts in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and NYPD Blue, Pascal paid his dues in an industry that often overlooked Latino talent. His breakthrough came with Game of Thrones, where his character’s gruesome demise in “The Mountain and the Viper” episode became one of the series’ most shocking moments. That scene, involving a skull-crushing fight, showcased Pascal’s physicality—a trait essential for Price’s combat-heavy role.
Post-Thrones, Pascal diversified: romantic lead in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) as the oily Maxwell Lord, voice work in The Book of Boba Fett (2021), and indie fare like The Bubble (2022). His role in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) opposite Nicolas Cage highlighted his comedic timing, proving he can handle Price’s wry humor amid chaos.
Captain Price, meanwhile, is more than a soldier; he’s a symbol of duty and sacrifice. In Modern Warfare (2019), Price mentors younger operatives while grappling with the ethics of black-ops missions. His relationships with Soap, Ghost, and Gaz add emotional stakes, ripe for cinematic exploration. Pascal, with his paternal vibes from The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, could infuse Price with a mentor’s warmth, making him relatable beyond the battlefield.
The film’s potential plot draws from the rebooted trilogy: a global conspiracy involving chemical weapons, rogue states, and personal vendettas. Imagine Pascal’s Price infiltrating a London terror cell or leading a raid in Urzikstan—scenes that could rival Zero Dark Thirty in intensity. Supporting cast rumors include Anya Taylor-Joy as Farah Karim and John Boyega as Kyle “Gaz” Garrick, adding diversity to the ensemble.
Challenges loom: accents (Pascal’s Chilean-American roots vs. Price’s Cockney-inflected British), age (Price is mid-40s in games; Pascal is 50 but ages gracefully), and fidelity to source material. Fans demand authenticity, from Price’s mustache to his gear. Paramount’s track record with adaptations like Transformers suggests spectacle over subtlety, but with Garland potentially directing, expect smarter fare.
Economically, the film could be a goldmine. Call of Duty boasts a fanbase of over 100 million active players monthly, translating to built-in audiences. Merch tie-ins, from action figures to energy drinks, could boost profits. Yet, in a post-pandemic box office, success hinges on word-of-mouth—hence the buzz around Pascal.
As we await confirmation, this rumor underscores Hollywood’s gaming obsession. From Arcane on Netflix to Borderlands (2024), adaptations are booming. If Pascal boards, it could elevate Call of Duty from console to cultural icon, proving that in entertainment, rumors can be as powerful as reality.
In conclusion, Pedro Pascal as Captain Price? It’s a rumor that’s got everyone talking, debating, and dreaming. Whether it materializes or fizzles, it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Call of Duty and Pascal’s magnetic pull. Bravo Six, standing by for more intel.
