Sony in talks to land Battlefield movie from McQuarrie and Jordan

Sony is in talks to land a big-screen adaptation of Battlefield, the military video game series, from Christopher McQuarrie and Michael B. Jordan after a multi-studio bidding war, Variety reported on 2 October.

McQuarrie is attached to write, direct and produce the film. Jordan is attached as a producer and could also star, depending on several factors. Sony declined to comment on the negotiations.

The producing team around them is already wide. It includes Jesse Stern for Electronic Arts, Carter Swan for Emerald Neon, Roy Lee and Miri Yoon for Vertigo, and Elizabeth Raposo, president of Jordan's Outlier Society.

Battlefield needs little introduction for gamers. Electronic Arts launched the franchise in 2002 with Battlefield 1942. It is a first-person shooter, meaning the player sees the action through the eyes of the soldier on screen.

The latest game has given Hollywood a clear reason to call. Battlefield 6, the 18th entry in the series, was released in 2025. It is set in 2027 to 2028 and follows a conflict between a fractured NATO and a private military company.

That release became the bestselling first-person shooter of the year and the bestselling entry in Battlefield's history, eclipsing Activision's Call of Duty, according to Variety. An earlier report in April said five studios were chasing the film rights, with Warner Bros. and Netflix among the bidders, The Wrap reported.

The rival shooter is also marching to cinemas. Paramount is developing a Call of Duty film to be directed by Peter Berg from a script by Taylor Sheridan, dated for theatrical release on 30 June 2028.

McQuarrie has another large project on his slate. He is set to direct Arnold Schwarzenegger in King Conan, a third Conan the Barbarian film.

For fans, this means two famous game battles could soon play out at the box office. Battlefield has the team and the studio circling. The next step is a signed deal and a release date.