To the surprise of many fans, rumors have started to gain traction regarding the potential development of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2. The original title, which released in 2014, has settled into a mixed reception among franchise devotees, making the idea of a sequel into an ambitious, but understandable move on the part of Sledgehammer Games.
With that being said, there are several inherent controversies that would arise should Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2 actually come to fruition. On top of being a huge potential shift in tone and setting for the modern franchise, a certain pivotal character within the Advanced Warfare campaign would surely have to be reevaluated thanks to the involvement of one disgraced actor, Kevin Spacey.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2's Ongoing Rumors
Rumors regarding Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2 began circulating in October 2022, predictably firing up discourse within the first-person shooter franchise's fan base. The development cycle of Call of Duty has undergone drastic shifts with the confirmation that Modern Warfare 2 will have an uncontested two-year life, effectively ending the longstanding franchise tradition of annual releases.
It has been confirmed that veteran Call of Duty studio Treyarch will be spearheading the next franchise title in 2024, with Sledgehammer games allegedly taking the helm after 2025. Sledgehammer recently had its hand on the IP with the release of the lackluster Call of Duty: Vanguard, but the studio seemingly wants to harken even further back in its franchise involvement for the development of this mystery 2025 title. While an Advanced Warfare 2 may mark a welcome change of pace for many fans, a huge element of the original game would have to be changed going forward.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2's Biggest Obstacle is Kevin Spacey's Downfall
The campaign of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was undoubtedly one of its strongest aspects, showcasing a near-future take on the military industrial complex and the rise extremely powerful private military organizations. At its heart, the success and positive reception of Advanced Warfare's campaign was largely down to its narrative, with a memorable cast of characters being what shaped this story.
One of the most prominent characters within Advanced Warfare's campaign was Jonathon Irons, the CEO of a powerful militaristic company known as the Atlas Corporation. An enigmatic figure, Irons twists between mentor and antagonist throughout the course of the game's story, ultimately making for a memorable villain. Jonathon Irons was voiced by and borrows the likeness of actor Kevin Spacey, who has since been embroiled in controversy.
Since the release of the game, Spacey has been at the center of several allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse, which have effectively seen the once-popular actor blacklisted from much of the industry. This would have significant ramifications for the potential narrative of Advanced Warfare 2, should that title be in the cards.
While it is largely agreed that Irons dies at the end of the first Advanced Warfare, the game's finale sets up a continuation of the war against Atlas, of which Irons would undoubtedly be a revered martyr. This would be tonally inappropriate for Advanced Warfare 2, and Sledgehammer Games would be faced with a great challenge of shifting the narrative of the title around this - unless it simply decides to recast the role. The release of Advanced Warfare 2 would likely be met well by fans of the franchise, but the team would have to step carefully around this glaring problem in the continuation of the first game's story.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.