Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Stars Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka in 2035 Story (Exclusive)
▼ Summary
– “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7” was announced at Xbox Games Showcase 2025, marking the first back-to-back release of “Black Ops” titles in the franchise’s history.
– The game features A-list actors Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka, and Michael Rooker, with Ventimiglia playing David Mason and Rooker reprising his role from “Black Ops 2.”
– Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, “Black Ops 7” is not a struck title, and production has continued without disruption.
– The game is set in 2035, 40+ years after “Black Ops 6,” and focuses on psychological warfare and cutting-edge technology in a co-op campaign with round-based zombies.
– Activision plans a surprise launch strategy, avoiding pre-promotion to deliver the game in an unexpected way, similar to a “Beyoncé album drop.”
The Call of Duty franchise is taking an unprecedented leap forward with Black Ops 7, featuring Hollywood heavyweights Milo Ventimiglia and Kiernan Shipka in a gripping 2035 storyline. Breaking from tradition, Activision has revealed back-to-back Black Ops releases for the first time in the series’ history, with Treyarch and Raven Software delivering this bold new chapter just months after Black Ops 6.
Set four decades after its predecessor, Black Ops 7 introduces a star-studded cast including Ventimiglia as returning protagonist David Mason, Shipka as corporate powerhouse Emma Kagan, and Michael Rooker reprising his fan-favorite role as Mike Harper. Despite industry-wide labor disputes, production remains unaffected, with motion capture and voice work already completed.
Activision’s marketing head Tyler Bahl emphasized the significance of Ventimiglia’s casting, noting subtle visual adjustments to align the character with the actor’s likeness. “David Mason is an icon—bringing Milo onboard felt like destiny,” Bahl stated. Shipka’s debut as the enigmatic CEO of The Guild promises to captivate players, while Rooker’s comeback adds nostalgic weight for longtime fans.
The game’s premise plunges players into a fractured 2035 world teetering on collapse, blending psychological warfare with next-gen combat technology. Alongside its intense co-op campaign, Black Ops 7 retains the signature round-based zombies mode, ensuring variety for enthusiasts.
Scheduled for a multi-platform launch, including Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and Battle.net, the title will debut on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, a strategic move mirroring surprise album drops rather than drawn-out marketing cycles. “We wanted to disrupt expectations,” Bahl explained, hinting at minimal pre-release hype to amplify the game’s impact.
With its high-profile cast and ambitious narrative, Black Ops 7 aims to redefine the franchise’s boundaries. The teaser trailer, now live, offers a glimpse into the chaos awaiting players later this year.
(Source: Variety)
